Peregine eyas at the bridge

HIGHLAND – Three baby peregrine falcons chicks have a new home on the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

Wildlife biologists recently visited the bridge to place leg tags on the chicks and monitor the perch. Mother and children were pronounced healthy and in great shape.

The name Peregrine means “wanderer,” and northern-nesting Peregrines are among North America’s long-distance migratory species, traveling as much as 10,000 miles a year. Peregrines mate for life and usually return to the same nesting spot each year. The New York State Bridge Authority provides nesting areas on each of its five spans for Peregrines.

The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird on the planet in its hunting dive, soaring to a half mile or more, then diving at speeds of over 200 mph. The top speed recorded for a Peregrine dive is 242.3mph.

Falcon chicks are called eyas and grow the downy coat as they mature. It is expected that the chicks will take flight in the very near future.

A medium-sized falcon, the Peregrine will grow to about 15 to 21 inches long and have a wingspan of more than three feet.

In 1970, the Peregrine was federally protected in the United States. Peregrines have since made a strong recovery, aided by wildlife management such as providing habitats on structures like the bridges over the Hudson River.