Sagrada Família falcons welcome new chicks
The famous resident falcons of Barcelona iconic Sagrada Família church became the proud parents of three chicks recently, but the predatory birds still remain massively outnumbered by pesky local pigeons.
The chicks are the latest brood for the pair of Peregrine Falcons that have lived in a bell tower of the Antoni Gaudí-designed church since 2004.
The birds' mother is sticking close to the youngsters but was unperturbed by the presence of scientists who checked up on the brood recently, local daily La Vanguardia reported on Friday.
The father was less keen on having visitors, keeping a close eye on proceedings, the scientists told the paper.
The falcon hatchlings will be fed on a diet of pigeons, starlings and other birds. Their hunger is unlikely, however, to put a dint in the overpopulation of pigeons at the unfinished church, La Vanguardia said.
There are thought to be some 12,000 pairs of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Europe, according to National Geographic.
This includes populations at iconic buildings like the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Tate Modern in London.
But the eggs of these birds contain 100 times the legally permitted pesticide levels for hen eggs for human consumption.
Peregrine Falcons are reportedly the fastest birds in the world and one bird was clocked by National Geographic at 389kph (242mph).
Don't miss stories about Spain, join The Local on Facebook and Twitter
Comments
See Also
The chicks are the latest brood for the pair of Peregrine Falcons that have lived in a bell tower of the Antoni Gaudí-designed church since 2004.
The birds' mother is sticking close to the youngsters but was unperturbed by the presence of scientists who checked up on the brood recently, local daily La Vanguardia reported on Friday.
The father was less keen on having visitors, keeping a close eye on proceedings, the scientists told the paper.
The falcon hatchlings will be fed on a diet of pigeons, starlings and other birds. Their hunger is unlikely, however, to put a dint in the overpopulation of pigeons at the unfinished church, La Vanguardia said.
There are thought to be some 12,000 pairs of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Europe, according to National Geographic.
This includes populations at iconic buildings like the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Tate Modern in London.
But the eggs of these birds contain 100 times the legally permitted pesticide levels for hen eggs for human consumption.
Peregrine Falcons are reportedly the fastest birds in the world and one bird was clocked by National Geographic at 389kph (242mph).
Don't miss stories about Spain, join The Local on Facebook and Twitter
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.