DEP BANDS ENDANGERED PEREGRINE FALCON CHICKS
World's Fastest Bird Speeds Toward Protection
(04/56) TRENTON--- Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M.
Campbell announced today that the Department is continuing
its efforts to restore the peregrine falcon population by
banding four chicks that hatched atop New Jersey's second
tallest building three weeks ago in Jersey City.
"The restoration of the peregrine falcon in New Jersey
marks an important conservation milestone and is one of
the first success stories attributed to New Jersey's Endangered
Species Conservation Act," said DEP Commissioner Bradley
M. Campbell. "Even with this success, our work to manage
the peregrine population and monitor for the potential effects
of environmental contaminants cannot wane."
The breeding pair of falcons that produced the chicks were
first spotted several years ago by two building managers
at the LCOR building at 101 Hudson Street in Jersey City.
Standing at a height of 592 feet, the 42-story building
is the second highest in New Jersey. The four chicks reside
in a three-sided nest box that was placed on the roof of
the building in 2001. The chicks can walk but are not yet
able to fly. This hatching is the fourth successful falcon
breeding to occur at this location.
Individually identifying each bird through banding helps
the Department in its study of the birds migration habits,
behavior, life span, survival rate, reproductive success
and population growth.
Peregrines historically bred in New Jersey on cliffs along
the Hudson and Delaware rivers, but were wiped out in the
East primarily due to pesticide contamination.
Starting in the late 1970s, biologists from DEP's Division
of Fish and Wildlife released young peregrines into the
wild. The first successfully re-established peregrine nest
in the East produced chicks in 1980 at Edwin B. Forsythe
National Wildlife Refuge in Atlantic County, New Jersey.
By 1986, 10 pairs were nesting in New Jersey and the population
now remains stable at about 18 pairs.
The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal endangered
species list in 1999. They continue to be listed as endangered
in New Jersey because they remain threatened by contaminants
and human disturbance, and they rely on active management
of their nesting sites.
The peregrine falcon is the largest falcon in New Jersey
and the world's fastest bird. In a dive, peregrines can
reach speeds of 200 miles per hour and take their prey (other
birds) in mid air.
A grant from the Verizon Foundation in 2001 enabled the
Department to install a webcam, providing an educational
connection for the people of New Jersey and around the world
to view the daily behavior of the peregrine falcons.
In addition to the webcam, a monitor display in the lobby
of 101 Hudson Street provides employees and visitors with
a "live cam" view of the birds as well as background
on peregrines and the successful efforts to restore them
in New Jersey.
After the banding is completed, second graders from the
Cornelia F. Bradford School in Jersey City will have an
opportunity to see one of the falcon chicks up close. The
students are participants in Project Peregrine, a hands-on
educational program using the peregrine falcon as its focus
to teach reading, writing, science and geography. The Peregrine
Project is part of a larger joint effort by DEP, the Conserve
Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and the Verizon Foundation
to raise awareness about this endangered raptor.
To see a live video feed of the peregrine falcon chicks,
visit the Department's website at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/peregrinecam/index.html