Peregrines are fierce hunters and parents. The adult female, perched on
the west side of the Greysolon Plaza, shows off her fine markings. It is clear
why these beautiful birds are so prized by falconers who use their
semi-domesticated cousins for hunting. In the not too recent past, peregrine
falcons numbers declined precipitously, in part due to the effects of the
chemical DDT on their nesting success. Thanks to conservation efforts and
reintroductions, peregrines are no longer listed as endangered, and their
population continues to grow. Efforts, like the one in Duluth to provide nest
sites, help to provide "habitat" for these magnificent hunters in an
area that no doubt once hosted wild peregrines before development.
