Quick Answer
Yes, peregrine falcons do live in Rhode Island. The peregrine falcon is found across much of North America and can be seen in all New England states, including Rhode Island. Peregrine falcons are known to nest on tall cliffs and urban buildings, which provide the necessary height for these birds that capture prey during high-speed dives.
Do Peregrine Falcons Live in New England?
The peregrine falcon has made an impressive recovery in New England thanks to conservation efforts. By the 1960s, peregrine falcons were completely extirpated from the New England region due to the effects of the pesticide DDT. After DDT was banned and captive breeding programs were established, peregrines were successfully reintroduced to New England.
All New England states now have nesting pairs of peregrine falcons, including:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
The peregrine falcon was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1999, marking an incredible conservation success story. While their population remains relatively small, peregrine falcons have reclaimed nesting territories across New England. They are now regularly seen in urban areas and remote mountain cliffs throughout the northeast.
Habitat in New England
Peregrine falcons nest on tall cliffs, bluffs, and increasingly on human-made structures like bridges, tall buildings, and water towers. Some prime peregrine habitat in New England includes:
- Coastal headlands along the Atlantic Ocean
- Mountain cliffs in the Appalachian range
- City skyscrapers and bridges in Boston, Hartford, Providence, etc.
- Bridges and highway infrastructure throughout the region
- Cooling towers at nuclear power plants
They forage for prey in many environments from open marshes to forests to urban greenspaces. Peregrines are well-adapted to living in close proximity to human activity.
Peregrine Falcons in Rhode Island
Rhode Island provides suitable nesting habitat for peregrine falcons in the form of tall bluffs, city buildings, and man-made structures. A 2022 survey found 9 occupied peregrine falcon territories in Rhode Island.
Some key facts about peregrine falcons in Rhode Island:
- They were completely extirpated as a breeding species by the 1960s.
- Peregrines were reintroduced in the 1980s and 1990s through hacking programs.
- 15 chicks were successfully hacked in Providence from 1982 to 1998.
- The first successful nest was documented in 1991 at the Crawford Street Bridge.
- They now nest in coastal and urban sites around the state.
The dense urban environment of Providence and population centers like Newport provide ideal habitat. Bridges such as the Newport Bridge, Jamestown Bridge, and Mt. Hope Bridge offer nest sites. Coastal cliffs along Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic coast attract breeding pairs.
The following table summarizes the occupied peregrine falcon territories documented in Rhode Island during the 2022 survey:
Territory Name | Location | County |
---|---|---|
Crawford Street Bridge | Providence | Providence |
Francis Street | Providence | Providence |
George M. Cohan Blvd. | Providence | Providence |
Gtech | Providence | Providence |
I-95 Bridge | Providence | Providence |
Industrial National Bank | Providence | Providence |
Narragansett Bay Commission | Providence | Providence |
Newport Bridge | Newport | Newport |
Sakonnet River Bridge | Portsmouth | Newport |
Threats
While peregrine falcons have recovered significantly, their population still faces threats:
- Disturbance of nest sites by rock climbers, photographers, drone operators, and other recreationists.
- Collision hazards posed by buildings, towers, and other structures.
- Competition for nest sites with other raptors.
- Environmental contaminants from pesticides and other chemicals.
Ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts are needed to protect nesting sites and help minimize risks to Rhode Island’s peregrine falcons.
Behavior and Diet
The peregrine falcon is renowned for its speed and aerial agility. They can reach speeds up to 200 mph during hunting dives, making them the fastest bird in the world. Peregrines hunt smaller birds such as pigeons, songbirds, and waterfowl. They capture prey after steep dives called stoops.
In cities, peregrines often utilize pigeons and other urban birds as their primary food source. They are diurnal hunters and do most of their hunting during the daytime. Peregrines are also opportunists – they will hunt bats, large insects, or even small mammals.
Both the male and female peregrine participate in defending the nest territory and hunting. They do not build their own nests, instead scraping out a shallow depression or ledge on cliff edges. 3-4 eggs are laid from late March to early April in Rhode Island. After a month-long incubation, the eggs hatch over several days.
The young fledge at 6 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for an additional 6-10 weeks as they learn to hunt. By late summer, the young birds disperse to establish their own territories. Many migrate south for the winter while some overwinter in New England near their nest sites.
Conservation and Research
Several organizations are responsible for monitoring, managing, and conserving peregrine falcons in Rhode Island:
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) – Monitors peregrine populations as part of wildlife research and oversees species protection policies.
- Audubon Society of Rhode Island – Helps monitor nest sites across the state in coordination with DEM.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) – Manages several preserves with cliff and coastal habitat used by peregrines.
- Rhode Island Falcon Watch – Volunteers help observe, steward, and educate the public about urban peregrine falcons.
These groups also partner on conservation initiatives such as:
- Banding and tagging peregrines with ID bands to monitor individuals.
- Educating the public through falcon cams and informational programs.
- Working with landowners and municipalities to protect habitat.
- Filling in research gaps about population trends, nesting density, threats, and other dynamics in Rhode Island.
Ongoing research and monitoring continues to collect better information about peregrines in Rhode Island. For example, a 2022 study published in the Journal of Raptor Research analyzed data from 343 Rhode Island peregrine falcon chicks banded from 1991 to 2015. The research provided new insights into nest survival rates, productivity, fledgling rates, and other population health metrics. More research can help inform continued conservation efforts for the species.
Where to See Peregrine Falcons in Rhode Island
Some of the best places to spot peregrine falcons in Rhode Island include:
- Downtown Providence – Several nest sites are located on skyscrapers and bridges, especially along the Providence River. Look for falcons hunting pigeons.
- Newport Cliff Walk – Runs along the Atlantic cliffs where peregrines are known to frequent.
- Conanicut Island – Jamestown and North Kingstown have good coastal habitat for peregrines.
- Sakonnet Point – A prime vantage point for watching them hunt at the mouth of Narragansett Bay.
- Beavertail State Park – Rocky coastline and headlands they favor.
- Bridges – Bridges such as the Newport Bridge, Mt. Hope Bridge, and Sakonnet River Bridge have nesting pairs.
- Point Judith – Habitat around Galilee and Point Judith harbors.
Rhode Island Falcon Watch has peregrine cams allowing you to view a few nest sites. The best viewing is often during spring as the chicks hatch and the parents are very active hunting. Be sure to admire peregrines at a distance and avoid disturbing sensitive nest areas during breeding season.
Conclusion
In conclusion, peregrine falcons have made a successful return to Rhode Island after being completely extirpated by the 1960s. Ongoing conservation actions are focused on increasing population numbers, monitoring threats, and protecting habitat. Peregrines can now be seen nesting in coastal bluffs and cliffs as well as urban infrastructure throughout the state. Sighting a peregrine falcon in action with its remarkable speed and agility remains a highlight for any birder or wildlife enthusiast visiting Rhode Island. With continued conservation efforts, future generations will be able to enjoy observing these iconic birds across the Ocean State.