Peregrine Falcon Nest Webcam Live in Downtown Boise

The daily life of a wild peregrine falcon family in downtown Boise is once again on view via a web camera in the nest box. This is the sixth year the webcam has followed the daily activities in a nest box on the 14th floor of One Capital Center, 10th and Main streets. The webcam may be seen at: http://peregrinefund.org/webcam-peregrine. Since 2003, breeding peregrine falcons have used the nest on the building that simulates the high, steep cliffs the falcons use in the wild. When in a dive, peregrine falcons are the fastest members of the animal kingdom, reaching speeds as high as 240 miles per hour. They use that speed to prey on other birds. Downtown Boise provides a plentiful supply of pigeons, mourning doves, starlings and other species. This year, the first egg was laid on March 26th, which is the earliest date for a first egg since the webcam was installed in 2009. The timing is almost two weeks earlier than last year, which was also earlier than ever. Once an endangered species, the peregrine falcon was restored through the release of captive-bred young by The Peregrine Fund. It was removed from the endangered species list in 1999, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and individual states continue to monitor peregrine population numbers. The falcon was removed from Idaho's list of endangered species in 2009. Like all birds of prey, the falcons remain protected by state and federal law. Peregrines were essentially gone from Idaho by 1974. Starting in 1982, captive-bred falcons were released into the wild in Idaho and nearby states. In 1985, the raptors were again documented as a breeding species, and releases were discontinued. Eight falcons were released in downtown Boise in 1988 and 1989. Today, there are about two dozen breeding pairs scattered around the state. The web camera is sponsored by The Peregrine Fund, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Fiberpipe. The nest can also be viewed on monitors in the lobby of One Capital Center, courtesy of Oppenheimer Development Corp. and J.R. Simplot Co.