World’s Fastest Animal Returns to New York Bridge to Have Babies

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Ah, springtime. The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and a breeding pair of peregrine falcons has returned to the Mid-Hudson Bridge to brood their eggs.

According to the New York State Bridge Authority, the falcons have a nest box beneath the suspension bridge, which takes traffic across the Hudson River. They come each spring to lay and brood their eggs and raise their chicks.

Peregrine falcons are birds of prey that hunt other birds, including ducks. They dive at speeds up to 300 kph (186 mph), making them not only the fastest bird in the world but also the fastest animal in the world. These falcons live near bodies of water, including urban areas in the United States.

The number of breeding peregrine falcons in New York dramatically declined last century, because of exposure to DDT and other chemicals. The falcons are breeding in increased numbers in New York again as a result of successful conservation programs.

You can catch a glimpse of current nest activity in the peregrine falcons’ nest box (and watch the chicks once they hatch) thanks to a falcon web cam, which updates every 10 minutes.

Here are some photos of the baby chicks from last year, because they’re fluffy and adorable.