Welcome to an exciting journey into the world of peregrine falcons! Today, we’re exploring how these incredible birds made a comeback, thanks to the efforts of people like Mary Hennen, who works at the Field Museum and leads the Peregrine Falcon Program.
In the 1980s, Illinois started a program to bring peregrine falcons back to the state. These birds had vanished because of human activities, especially the use of a pesticide called DDT. DDT made their eggshells too thin, causing them to break under the weight of the adult birds. But scientists found a way to help: they bred peregrines in captivity. These birds learned to fly and hunt on their own and were released into the wild. Surprisingly, they adapted well to city life, finding tall buildings similar to the cliffs they naturally prefer. Once the wild populations were stable, the release of captive-bred birds stopped.
Imagine living in a high-rise building and discovering peregrine falcons nesting nearby! Some people love having these birds as neighbors, while others might not. Peregrines make simple nests called scrapes, which are just shallow depressions. If you don’t want them to return, it’s best to prevent them from nesting in the same spot again. They’ll find another place to call home.
Have you ever wondered about the bands on birds’ legs? These bands help scientists track and study birds. Each band has a unique nine-digit number. Since female birds of prey are usually larger than males, they get different-sized bands. If there’s any doubt, a larger band is used to ensure it fits comfortably.
Mary shared a fascinating story about a peregrine that nested at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Due to security, they couldn’t band the birds there, but they monitored them from a distance. One young bird even traveled all the way to Ecuador! These bands help scientists keep records of the birds’ journeys and lives.
Think of the Field Museum’s collection as a giant library of bird information. Even if we don’t know what questions to ask now, future technology might help us learn more. This collection serves as a valuable resource for future research.
Good news! Peregrine falcons are no longer on the Illinois state endangered and threatened species list. They’re thriving, thanks to conservation efforts.
If you think you’ve spotted a peregrine falcon, especially in Central or South America, take a picture and share it with experts like Mary. Social media can also help spread awareness and encourage people to look out for these speedy birds in the sky.
So, keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the fascinating world of peregrine falcons!
Research the history of peregrine falcons, focusing on their decline and recovery. Create a timeline that highlights key events, such as the introduction of DDT, the start of the Peregrine Falcon Program, and their removal from the endangered species list. Use images and short descriptions to make your timeline engaging.
Imagine you are a peregrine falcon living in the city. Design a nest that would be suitable for a high-rise building. Consider the materials you would use and how you would ensure the safety of your eggs. Present your design to the class and explain your choices.
Participate in a simulation where you learn how to band birds. Use colored bands to represent different numbers and practice “banding” paper birds. Discuss why banding is important and how it helps scientists track peregrine falcons.
Play a game where you track the migration of a peregrine falcon. Use a map to follow its journey from the city to different parts of the world. Discuss the challenges peregrines face during migration and how they overcome them.
Take a virtual tour of the Field Museum’s bird collection. Learn about the importance of collections in scientific research. Discuss how future technology might help us learn more about peregrine falcons and other birds.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
[[The Brain Scoop theme]]
**Emily:** So we’re back at the museum with Mary Hennen, who is the Collections Assistant here in birds, as well as the director of the Peregrine Falcon Program. Can you tell us a little bit about the background of the program and how it relates to what we’re doing here at the Field Museum?
**Mary:** The program started in the mid-80s when Illinois began efforts to help return the species to the state. The peregrine falcon was historically present here but had disappeared due to human activities, particularly the use of DDT, which affected the eggshells, making them too thin. As a result, the weight of the adult birds would crush the eggs. This led to the extirpation of the species in the area. It was discovered that these birds could be bred in captivity and learn to fly and hunt on their own without adult guidance. The captive-bred birds became the foundation for the wild population in the Midwest and the eastern U.S. As these birds were released into the wild, they began pairing up and breeding independently. Surprisingly, this cliff-dwelling bird returned to urban areas, as cities provide similar environments to cliffs, with ample prey and minimal competition for nesting sites. Once the wild populations were established, the release of captive-bred birds was discontinued.
**Emily:** What happens if someone lives in a high-rise building downtown and suddenly has new neighbors in the form of a breeding peregrine pair? What should they do in that situation?
**Mary:** This situation is becoming more common due to the rise of high-rise condos where peregrines are nesting. Some people appreciate their presence and enjoy having them around, while others may not want them there. Once the peregrines leave, there’s typically nothing left of the nest; they create a simple scrape, which is just a depression in the surface. It’s best to prevent them from using the same spot again, as they will find another location to nest. It’s preferable for them to relocate than to become a problem for residents.
**Emily:** What’s the significance of the numbers on these bands, and why are there two different sizes?
**Mary:** The bands used are from the Fish and Wildlife Service and have a unique nine-digit number that wraps around the band. To read it, you would need to look very closely, so we also use an auxiliary marker that is easier to read through a spotting scope. The size difference is because female birds of prey are generally larger than males. If there’s any doubt about the size, it’s safer to use a larger band, as the leg won’t outgrow it. We even have some uniquely named males, including one named “Emily.”
**Emily:** Your prison male?
**Mary:** Yes, one of our sites was located at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
**Emily:** Oh! That must have been an interesting place to go banding.
**Mary:** We couldn’t band there because it was an inaccessible nest. Due to security, we couldn’t go out the window to reach the ledge. We monitored from a distance, and later, once the young birds fledged, we could gather data from pictures taken by others. That’s how we learned that one of our young birds traveled as far as Ecuador.
**Emily:** And then, at the end of the bird’s life, if someone finds it, you still have that record. The bird can return to a place like the Field Museum, and you have a complete legacy of documentation throughout its life.
**Mary:** Exactly. Think of the collection as a giant library. We may not know the questions we want to answer now, but technology could advance in the next 50 years, allowing us to learn more. This collection serves as reference material for the future.
**Emily:** Yes, because you can’t go back in time 50 years and retrieve a peregrine from the same region since they weren’t present then.
**Mary:** Unless you have a time machine!
**Emily:** Yes, we need a time machine! What’s the current status of these birds? Are they still threatened in Illinois?
**Mary:** They’re doing great, and I’m happy to share that they have recently come off the Illinois state endangered and threatened species list.
**Emily:** That’s fantastic! What would you recommend if someone in Central or South America thinks they might have a peregrine in their area? Should they contact you?
**Mary:** They can certainly take a picture and email it to us. I appreciate cell phones for this reason; it’s much easier than trying to describe a bird over the phone.
**Emily:** Social media can also help raise awareness and encourage people to keep an eye out for these birds. It’s important to look to the sky; they can be hard to spot because they move so quickly.
[[The Brain Scoop theme]]
Peregrine – A type of bird known for its incredible speed and hunting skills, often referred to as the peregrine falcon. – The peregrine is one of the fastest birds in the world, capable of diving at speeds over 200 miles per hour to catch its prey.
Falcon – A bird of prey with a sharp beak and powerful talons, known for its keen eyesight and speed. – The falcon soared high above the cliffs, searching for small animals to hunt.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment. – Conservation efforts have helped increase the population of endangered species like the bald eagle.
Habitat – The natural environment where a plant or animal lives and grows. – The rainforest provides a rich habitat for a diverse range of species.
Species – A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. – Scientists discovered a new species of frog in the Amazon rainforest.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – The students conducted research on the effects of pollution on marine life.
Tracking – The process of following and observing the movements and behaviors of animals in their natural environment. – Researchers use GPS technology for tracking the migration patterns of sea turtles.
Nesting – The process by which birds or other animals build or occupy a nest to lay eggs and raise their young. – The nesting season for many birds begins in the spring when they build nests to lay their eggs.
Environment – The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. – Protecting the environment is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
Adaptation – A change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment. – The thick fur of polar bears is an adaptation to the cold Arctic climate.
