Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Peregrine Falcons in New York City
Pairs of peregrine falcons have been found nesting on the window ledges of such buildings as the Metropolitan Life Building, adjacent to this parkland. The reemergence of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in North America is one of the environmental movement’s greatest success stories. Until the middle of the 20th century, the crow-sized, dark-capped, blue-gray peregrines ruled the skies and rocky mountaintops from Alaska all the way to Georgia, preying on smaller birds such as sparrows and pigeons. One of nature’s most skilled hunters, the peregrine falcon dive-bombs its prey at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Capable of flying at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in level flight, the peregrine is one of the world’s faster birds.
But in the 1950s and ‘60s, the chemical dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), was used widely in agricultural pesticides, found its way up the food chain. The sparrows, pigeons, and other small birds that peregrines hunted fed on insects contaminated with DDT. Through a process known as biomagnification, DDT accumulated in the peregrines, causing their eggs to become too weak to even support the weight of the mother incubating her eggs. The eggs shattered before fledglings could hatch. By the time DDT was finally banned in 1972, there was not a single peregrine left east of the Mississippi.
When the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, peregrine falcons were one of the first species to receive protection. restoration efforts were launched throughout the 1970s and ‘80s; during that time, 150 young captivity-bred Peale’s peregrine falcons (the eastern peregrine subspecies being extinct) were released in New York State, to reclaim nesting sites in the rocky peaks and crags of the Adirondacks and Hudson River Palisades.
Over the years, peregrines have moved farther and farther into New York City, taking up residences on the exteriors of skyscrapers and bridges. Pairs of peregrine falcons have also been found high up on the Bank of New York (48 Wall Street), and the St. Regis Hotel (2 East 55th Street) in Manhattan. In addition to the Verrazano Narrows and Throgs Neck bridges, peregrines have been seen on the Manhattan tower of the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as an old gun turret on the Marine Parkway. These manmade aeries provide perfect residences for the birds – isolated, easily approachable by air, and with great views of territory and of prey.
By 1999, the peregrine falcon had recovered sufficiently to be moved off the Endangered Species List. Over 145 falcons have been successfully hatched and banded by biologists in New York City since 1983, and have been found raising their own families as far away as Baltimore and Wisconsin.
City of New York Parks & Recreation
Bill de Blasio, Mayor
Michael Silver, Commissioner
Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc.
Erected by Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc./City of New York Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment.
Location. 40° 42.324′ N, 74° 0.81′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is on Broadway near Whitehall Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is near the north entrance to Bowling Green Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Evacuation Day (a few steps from this marker); 175th Anniversary of Greek Independence (a few steps from this marker); January 20, 1928 (a few steps from this marker); November 11, 1927 (a few steps from this marker); June 23, 1926 (a few steps from this marker); April 30, 1928 (a few steps from this marker); Francis Makemie (a few steps from this marker); Cunard Building (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Also see . . . See NYC's Most Adorable Predators: The Baby Peregrine Falcons At 55 Water Street. Gothamist entry:
This fairly close-by building is a well-known nesting site. (Submitted on December 5, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.