Every year, one friend or another invites me to watch a peregrine falcon nest cam. I understand why I'm first on their list. I absolutely love the species. But just a few years ago, the survival of this iconic Illinois bird was anything but guaranteed. Between habitat loss and pesticide consumption, peregrine falcon numbers plummeted in the 1950s. Here's the story of how this gritty bird made its comeback and the Illinoisans who stood up for state wildlife.
Peregrine falcons prove that small is mighty. If this charismatic Illinois species went to your high school, it would win big in class superlatives. With a diving speed of 200 miles per hour, peregrine falcons aren't only the world's fastest bird. They're the fastest animal on the planet! Yet, speed couldn't insulate them from the seismic changes of the 20th century.
Though habitat loss accelerated in the 1950s, there were other reasons falcon numbers plummeted. Peregrine falcons can adapt quite well to urban environments. It was actually industrial farming that took the greatest toll on the species' population. The use of DDT, in particular, spelled trouble for this iconic bird and many others.
DDT made falcon eggs thin and fragile, causing the eggs to crack beneath the weight of a nesting bird. By the 1960s, this issue earned peregrine falcons a spot on the Endangered Species List.
By 1972, 90 percent of the country's peregrine falcons had been wiped out and none remained in Illinois. This catastrophic loss motivated an array of organizations to get involved. In the Prairie State, Chicago's Field Museum founded The Chicago Peregrine Program. Since 1985, it's worked to protect falcons living in the Windy City and monitor the species' recovery.
The combination of outlawing DDT and carefully protecting the remaining population has led to a slow and steady recovery. In 2014, Illinois removed peregrine falcons from its endangered species list.
In the following decade, this incredible animal has continued to thrive.
Today, the peregrine falcon is an excellent example of wildlife's ability to recover from devastating loss. It's also a great example of advocacy's positive impact on our planet.
Illinois contains some incredible nature. If you're a nature enthusiast, you should know the story of this iconic Illinois bird. Peregrine falcons were saved from the brink of extinction, and today, their future seems secure.
You don't need hiking gear to see this amazing species! Since being given the chance to recover, they've adapted to our most urban environments, becoming regular features of the Chicago skyline.
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