Island Visitors by Annie Barry
People are not the only ones that enjoy visiting Governors Island. Peregrine falcons are also frequent visitors to the island, where they can be seen perched on trees or tall structures. The falcons are looking for prey. When a tasty snack is spotted, usually a medium-sized bird, the peregrine launches into a spectacular, high-speed dive called a “stoop”. The unlucky target is usually captured mid-air.
A NYHS tweet on January 2 alerted us to a pair of these falcons visiting the GI cove, adjacent to Pier 101 on Buttermilk Channel. (photo left) by NYHS student, Alanna Lopez
The peregrine is the largest of falcons at about 16 inches long. As with most birds of prey, the female is larger than the male. Both male and female peregrines are blue-gray on top and have a white underside with horizontal bars. Dark stripes (“sideburns” or “mustaches”) extend down from both eyes.
Mating pairs may be spotted nesting on tall buildings at the bottom of Manhattan or on the Brooklyn Bridge in the spring, and several individuals reside in the New York Harbor area year round. Peregrines were virtually wiped out from eastern North America by pesticide poisoning in the mid-20th century. They have since rebounded and are a common site in urban and coastal areas. These amazing survivors are beautiful and welcome visitors to Governors Island.