NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New York City recently welcomed its newest resident with stunning city views from atop the Marine Parkway Bridge.
The peregrine falcon chicken hatched on the 215-foot Rockaway tower of the bridge and was recently banded for monitoring by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the MTA said Wednesday.
Peregrine falcon chickMarc A. Hermann/MTA
At only about three weeks old, the hatchling enjoys 360-degree views of the city skyline along with its falcon mom in a specially built nesting box on the bridge.
Around May or June each year, Chris Nadareski of the NYC DEP climbs to the top of the bridges and puts identifying bands on the falcon chicks to help keep track of the number of peregrines in the city and identify them in case they become sick or injured.
Chris Nadareski banding the falcon chickMarc A. Hermann/MTA
The MTA has been a part of helping to preserve the falcon population since 1983 through the nesting program. More two decades earlier, the birds were nearly wiped out due to pesticides in their food supply.
Mama falconMarc A. Hermann/MTA
Still on the state's endangered birds list, urban falcons like to nest atop bridges, church steeples and high-rise buildings as they provide a stellar vantage point for hunting prey, including pigeons and small birds.
Banding the falcon chickMarc A. Hermann/MTA
Aside from the MTA Bridges and Tunnels providing a nesting box for the falcons at each of the bridges, they otherwise leave them alone, especially during nesting season.
Mama falcon and her impressive wingspanMarc A. Hermann/MTA
Since falcons mate for life, they generally return to the same nest to hatch their young.
Baby and mama falconMarc A. Hermann/MTA
No chicks were harmed in the banding process.
