Falcons for everyone

It has been a habit for quite a few years: the same pair of peregrine falcons raising their chicks on a tower of the Brussels Cathedral of Saint-Michael and Saint-Gudula. The ornithologists of our Museum closely monitor their activities. And by means of a camera in the nest, everybody can watch the happy family. We hope they will return in 2010!

The peregrine falcon, a sucess story for biodiversity

Being at the top of the food chain, the peregrine falcon nearly died out in Europe and North America by the use of DDT pesticides. Due to the banning of those pesticides and a targeted conservation policy, its population has largely recovered. There is much left to be done for biodiversity, but this is certainly a success story.

The city is no stranger to biodiversity. Lots of animals adapt very well to life between buildings. Peregrine falcons use the high towers of the cathedral the same way they would use a cliff in nature. There is still a lot to do for the preservation of biodiversity, but theirs is certainly a success story.