Record Year for Peregrine Falcons at Pinnacles National Park

Four prairie falcon nestlings huddled together, at 17-19 days old. This year, fewer prairie falcon pairs nested in Pinnacles National Park compared to the average of the last 30 years. This could be due in part to increased competition from peregrine falcons reestablishing territories in the park.

NPS / Gavin Emmons

June 2019 - Raptor advisories remain in effect at Pinnacles National Park to protect prairie and peregrine falcons during their breeding season when they are most vulnerable to disturbance. Right now, many young falcons are taking their first flights. Others that hatched later in the season have yet to leave their nests.

Adult male prairie falcon on a cliff face.

NPS / Gavin Emmons

In total, the raptor monitoring team confirmed 10 pairs of prairie falcons, plus one single prairie falcon, occupying territories in the park this year, on par with the 30-year average. Of those, eight pairs nested, or attempted to nest. That number is lower than the 30-year average of nearly 10 nesting pairs per season. This could be due in part to the number of peregrine falcon pairs in the park this year. While two pairs have been park residents for several years now, two additional pairs established territories this year, and three of the four pairs nested! It has been more than 50 years since the park was last home to three pairs of nesting peregrines. This news is especially interesting because historical records suggest that Pinnacles was once home to a more even distribution of prairie and peregrine falcons. Will peregrine falcons continue to compete with prairie falcons to reestablish more territories in the park in years to come? Whatever is in store, monitoring efforts will continue to ensure that it will be well documented.

Red-tailed hawk adult perching with three nestlings at a stick nest.

NPS / Gavin Emmons

Falcons haven’t been the only cliff-nesting raptors breeding in the park this year. A golden eagle pair nested in the park for the first time since 2013. They were unsuccessful, but a second pair nested right outside of the park’s west entrance and successfully reared two eaglets. In addition, the monitoring team has documented American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, Cooper's hawks and several owls (great horned, barn, and long-eared) breeding in the park. Reach out to Gavin Emmons to learn more.

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