News Release

New webcam allows viewers to watch nesting peregrine falcons on Alcatraz Island

Feedings are a common occurrence and one of several behaviors that can be observed through the webcam.

NPS photo

News Release Date: May 2, 2024 SAN FRANCISCO—The National Park Service and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy announced today a new public webcam that will allow viewers to watch the growth of four recently hatched peregrine falcon chicks on Alcatraz Island in an exciting opportunity for casual observers and citizen scientists alike.

The livestream is the result of close collaboration between the partners and comes after months of joint planning to make the webcam available to the public. It can be viewed at www.parksconservancy.org/FalconCam.

Last year, NPS biologists set up the webcam to remotely monitor two nesting falcons: a female named Lawrencium, who was banded when she was born atop the UC Berkeley Campanile, and her unbanded male companion. The pair welcomed four chicks in 2023 and images and clips from the webcam, which was not yet equipped to broadcast online, have been shared on the park’s social media.

“This all started as a ‘what if’ when I was watching the CalFalcons webcam, wondering ‘how cool would it be to have a livestream of the Alcatraz falcon nest?’. I’m thrilled this became a reality thanks to all the collaborators from the NPS and the Parks Conservancy who helped see this through to the end,” said Alcatraz Island biologist Lidia D’Amico. “I hope this livestream generates appreciation for peregrine falcons and sparks viewers’ interest in the other bird life found on Alcatraz as well.”

The fixed-angle webcam is capable of providing a high-definition image even at night. The livestream has a 12-hour cache, allowing viewers to catch up on parts they may have missed.Peregrine falcons are apex predators on the island and prey on many of its bird species. The livestream will routinely show this natural process, including other predatory behavior that serves as a reminder that the falcons are wild animals.

More information about the birds of Alcatraz is available on the NPS website.