1st Peregrine Falcon Of The Season Arrives At Cuomo Bridge

TARRYTOWN, NY — One peregrine falcon has taken up residence high atop the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

A spokesperson for the Thruway Authority said the first peregrine falcon of the season had been sighted March 10.

The man-made nest box is located near the top of one of the bridge’s 419-foot towers and has a webcam in it to document the lives of the migratory raptors.

The webcam is now live and available online here. Use the controls to replay or advance the frames. You can also watch live video at that link.

In 2022, a pair of falcons produced four eggs, all of which hatched. Falcons typically lay three to five eggs in the early spring, with chicks, called eyases, hatching a month later.

Peregrine falcons are endangered birds.

They can scour for and dive after prey from the high vantage point near the top of the bridge.

Falcons can reach speeds of more than 200 mph in a controlled dive, experts said, making them the fastest member of the animal kingdom.

“Peregrine” means “wanderer,” experts said. The raptors fly north or south as the seasons change, migrating great distances.

The Thruway Authority said the public should be aware that peregrine falcons are wild birds and their behaviors reflect what happens in nature. Some of their actions may be unpleasant to watch, and it is possible that some of the fledglings may not survive into adulthood.