Watch live as Peregrine parents welcome new falcon babies
ST. LOUIS (April 29, 2024) – After weeks of anticipation, viewers are watching live on Ameren Missouri’s Falcon Cam as Peregrine falcon parents care for their newly hatched chicks in Franklin County.
“To have chicks in the nest is always very exciting,” said Jeff Meshach, deputy director at World Bird Sanctuary. “And while nature can be harsh, we are hopeful these chicks survive to continue to grow the Peregrine population here in Missouri.”
Meshach also noted that while the male falcon appears to be the same one as last year, he has confirmed that this is a new female. She was banded as a chick in Kansas City approximately seven years ago. The falcons began nesting activities in the box on Ameren’s property in March.
“Thanks to our longstanding partnership with World Bird Sanctuary and the Missouri Department of Conservation, Falcon Cam has been giving people an up-close look at Peregrine nesting behaviors,” said Julianne Randazzo, career environmental scientist at Ameren Missouri. “We’re glad we can provide an opportunity for a vulnerable species to nest. It’s one of the many ways Ameren is caring for our shared environment.”
Since the female Peregrine began laying her eggs on March 15, she and the male took turns keeping the eggs warm. Both parents will now venture out to find prey, primarily birds, to feed the growing babies. “The location of this nest site along the Missouri River, a major migratory bird flyway, should provide an abundant food supply of birds and bats,” said John Vogel, natural history biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The chicks will begin to fly after about seven weeks, then will learn how to hunt for themselves. Viewers can watch the chicks grow and develop via Falcon Cam, which will run until the last chick fledges or leaves the nest, typically in late May or early June.
While Peregrines were taken off the Federal Endangered Species list in 1998, they are considered a vulnerable species in Missouri. There are only about eight known pairs of Peregrines in the Greater St. Louis area. Ameren Missouri's Falcon Cam is an important tool for monitoring the breeding population.
Watch all nest activity and interactions live from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. CDT seven days a week at AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch until the chicks have left the nest.
About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.
About World Bird Sanctuary
In 1977, WBS was founded by the late Walt Crawford, and is currently directed by Roger Holloway. WBS is dedicated to the preservation of all birds and their habitats, and accomplishes this through rehabilitation, education, propagation, field studies, advocacy and services. WBS has been banding Peregrine Falcons since 1985. Through its captive breeding and release efforts in the mid to late ‘80s, WBS has been responsible for bringing the Peregrine back to Missouri as a breeding species.
About Missouri Department of Conservation
MDC protects and manages Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife resources. They also facilitate participation in resource-management activities and provide opportunities for people to use, enjoy and learn about nature.