peregrine
falcons

In the winter of 1987, Commerce Bank employees found a female peregrine roosting on a ledge. The bird had stopped to overwinter on its migration from northwest Canada, which suggested that Kansas City's downtown habitat might support restoration. In '91 and '92, Kansas City Power & Light partnered with Commerce Bank, Historic Suites and the Missouri Conservation Department to release 24 young falcons. These birds nested throughout the midwest before nesting on Commerce Tower in 1997, and peregrine pairs have nested there every year since. Projects like this nationwide have successfully moved peregrines off the endangered species list. Also called "duck hawks," peregrines are one of more than 60 species considered birds of prey.

peregrines        

With bullet-shaped body; long, pointed wings; hooked claws and notched bill, they're well equipped to prey on other birds, diving at speeds up to 180 mph to overtake them in mid-air. Although they strike or grasp with their claws, they generally kill prey with their beaks after taking it to the ground or a perch. Peregrines nest in sheltered niches along faces of cliffs. Females lay from three to five eggs in April or May which are incubated by both male and female. Young leave the nest in mid-summer. Although great horned owls have been known to prey on the young, the peregrine's only serious threat has been humans. During the 50s and 60s, pesticides like DDT were responsible for decimating and endangering the species, reducing their ability to produce sufficient calcium for eggs. DDT was banned in 1972, enabling the peregrine's return.

Did you know peregrines...

• are nature's fastest creature
• can be found on all continents but Antarctica
• are the most prized bird in the sport of Falconry

Look for peregrines in downtown Kansas City, perched high on building ledges or soaring and darting high in the sky.