Peregrines of Phoenix Succesfully Fledge Young

PHOENIX - Some people prefer the solitude of the country. Others thrive on the hustle and bustle of the city, and so it seems for one family of Arizona's previously endangered bird species. For the first time in nearly 13 years, a pair of peregrine falcons has managed to raise a hatchling to fledging age amongst the business buildings of downtown Phoenix.

Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists have been monitoring the downtown nesting site for years, but the birds have been unsuccessful in producing a nestling that survived to take its first flight despite multiple breeding attempts.

This year, biologists confirmed that a nestling had hatched, and they kept a close eye on the nest. Early in June, the nestling was found outside of the nest on the second story of the Maricopa County Administration Building (County Building) before it was ready to fly.

"We examined the young bird to ensure it was healthy and when x-rays showed it had no broken bones, we worked quickly to get the fledgling back to the parents in hopes they would not abandon the nestling," said Darren Julian, urban wildlife biologist for Game and Fish's Mesa regional office. "Fortunately the parents didn't miss a step and within a day of the nestling's return, the adults were seen feeding the youngster and encouraging it to fly."

The fledgling and its parents have since left the county building and may be seen perching on some of the other buildings in the area.

Peregrines were first noticed in the downtown Phoenix area in 1996, but they did not show signs of breeding until 10 years later. Only one of the two nestlings from that breeding attempt survived, and it was raised in captivity after the adult birds abandoned it prior to fledging. In 2007 and 2008, peregrines in the area were observed displaying breeding behavior, and the birds nested in a gutter on the county building later that spring. The nest was unsuccessful both years, and no young birds were ever found in the area.

Game and Fish teamed with Maricopa County personnel and a local volunteer carpenter to construct and place a nest box on the county building in hopes the falcons would utilize the structure for nesting. However, the birds had other ideas and chose to nest again this year in the gutter on the county building.

"Despite the peregrines' presence in downtown Phoenix for many years and multiple nesting attempts, this is the first time they have successfully fledged a youngster," said Julian. "This breeding success is exciting since peregrine falcons were previously an endangered species in our state."

Peregrines were listed as an endangered species in the mid-1970's and made a dramatic comeback in Arizona and the Southwest after the ban of DDT. Peregrines were removed from the endangered species list in 1999. To help ensure the continued recovery of peregrine falcons, Game and Fish conducts post-delisting monitoring and works with other land management agencies to minimize human impact near nesting sites.

Note: Interviews with a biologist and video of the birds are available by calling Public Information Officer Randy Babb at (480) 324-3546.

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD's programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

Contact:
Randy Babb (480) 324-3546