Falcon Chick Enjoys City Views From Home Atop Queens MTA Bridge

QUEENS, NY — A peregrine falcon chick that recently hatched atop a bridge in Queens is settling into life at 215 feet above ground, officials said.

The healthy chick, Tillie, was born about three weeks ago in a nesting box atop the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. The hatchling was banded Wednesday by Chris Nadareski, a city research scientist.

Under the watchful eye of Tillie's mother, Nadareski climbed to the top of the bridge and put an identifying band on the chick's ankle — a process that does not harm the chick, but helps wildlife experts track the number of peregrines in the city and identify them if they become sick or injured, the MTA said.

Peregrine falcons nearly went extinct in the 1960s due to pesticides in their food supply and are still on the state's list of endangered birds.

The MTA has been trying to help the birds since 1983, when it became part of the state's nesting program, putting boxes on the top of bridges for the falcons to live in and nest.

In urban environments, falcons like to nest atop bridges and other high-rise structures to get a good hunting vantage point.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels mostly leave the birds alone but check the boxes each year in May or June for new chicks. Falcons mate for life and usually hatch their young in the same nest year after year.

Tillie is the latest chick to join the brood born atop the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and enjoy 360-degree views of the city skyline from the Queens tower.