Test Your Knowledge of New York City's Raptors!

Study Notes

New York Metropolitan Area has around 330 bird species, 30 mammalian species, 32 reptilian and amphibian species, and over 200 fish species.
Peregrine falcons were almost extinct due to DDT pesticide, but conservationists successfully reintroduced them to the wild in the 1970s and 1980s.
Peregrine falcons can be seen occupying bridges and buildings across New York and nest in 11 sites across the 5 boroughs.
Peregrine falcons are generally 1.5 ft tall, adapted for speed, and can prey on pigeons.
Red-tailed hawks are the largest raptor in the metropolitan area, with broad wings, a white underbelly, yellow legs and feet, and rust or cinnamon-colored tails.
Red-tailed hawks can often be seen perching on power lines and have been successful in colonizing urban and suburban areas.
Pale Male and Lola are two famous hawk residents of New York City, with Pale Male being the first red-tailed hawk to move to the city and nesting on the expensive 927 Fifth Avenue penthouse.
Pale Male has sired 26 chicks with four mates and is known for his unusual pale white coloring.
Red-tailed hawks have extraordinary eyesight, which is 8x stronger than a human's, and they primarily feast on small rodents.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed peregrine falcons from the Federal list of threatened and endangered species on August 25, 1999, but the species will be monitored for several years to ensure it no longer needs protection.

3 Questions