Peregrine Falcon on the East Roof of the Building in Wilmington — Live Stream

Peregrine Falcon Nest on the East Roof of Wilmington

On the east roof of a high-rise building in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, sits a peregrine falcon nest — home to the fastest birds of prey on the planet. This live webcam provides access to a unique broadcast from a place where falcons have been raising their young for over three decades. The live stream from the nest allows you to observe the lives of these majestic birds in real time, without leaving your home.

Wilmington, the largest city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, has become home to a pair of peregrine falcons that have chosen the Brandywine Building high-rise. The urban landscape with its apartment buildings, residential neighborhoods, and green spaces creates an ideal hunting environment for these predators. The camera on the east roof is aimed at the nest box installed here back in the early 1990s.

Nesting History at the Brandywine Building

The Brandywine Building is a 19-story tower standing 260 feet (about 79 meters) tall, built in 1970 in the very heart of Wilmington's business district. It was here, on the east side of the roof, that a special nest box was installed in 1992. The initiative came from Craig Koppie of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), who noticed increased peregrine falcon activity in the city center.

Since then, the nest on the east roof has become a permanent breeding site for these rare birds of prey. Over more than 30 years, many chicks have been raised and fledged here. In 2011, for example, four young peregrines fledged from the nest: two males stayed to fly over the city, while two females were relocated as part of a species conservation program. And in 2024, 8 peregrine falcon chicks successfully fledged from nests in the region, setting a record for the monitoring program.

Peregrine Falcon Biology in the Urban Environment

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a bird of prey that has perfectly adapted to life in big cities. In Wilmington's urban environment, these falcons have found everything they need for survival: tall buildings for nesting and abundant prey. The basis of their diet here consists of pigeons (including homing pigeons) and starlings — species that thrive in metropolitan areas and provide peregrines with a constant food supply.

The flat roof with a light-colored stone parapet on the east side of the Brandywine Building has become an ideal location for the nest. From here, the falcons survey the urban landscape — residential neighborhoods, green spaces, apartment buildings — and spot their prey. The dark roll roofing, downspout, and mounting elements create a natural backdrop for the nest box, while the parapet protects it from the wind.

Hunting from the Roof: The High-Rise Predator's Strategy

Peregrine falcons are masters of high-speed hunting. Their main weapon is the stoop, during which their speed can exceed 300 km/h. From the roof of the Brandywine Building, the falcons use their height advantage: they soar over the city, tracking their prey, then dive down swiftly, striking their victim with their talons.

Interestingly, peregrine falcons are capable of hunting at night. Studies of nocturnal hunting by peregrines, conducted at the Empire State Building in New York, showed that the success rate of nighttime attacks is about 33% (111 attempts, 37 successful). Nocturnal hunting occurs especially often in the autumn — in September and October, when migrating birds become easy prey under the city lights. In Wilmington, the peregrines on the east roof may also exhibit nocturnal activity, hunting migratory birds in the glow of city lights.

Chicks and Reproduction

The nest on the east roof of the Brandywine Building is not just an observation point, but a full-fledged breeding colony. Every year, a pair of peregrine falcons lays eggs in the nest box, and after a few weeks, chicks are born. Watching their grow through the live webcam is a unique opportunity to see how helpless fluffy bundles transform into formidable predators.

Young peregrine falcons spend about six weeks in the nest before making their first flight. After fledging, they remain near their parents for some time, learning hunting skills. In 2011, two males from the brood at the Brandywine Building stayed to fly over Wilmington, while two females were relocated to other regions to expand the genetic diversity of the population. Such programs help preserve the species and maintain its numbers at a stable level.

Wilmington's Urban Landscape

Wilmington, located in New Hanover County, North Carolina, is a typical American city with developed infrastructure and abundant greenery. From the east roof of the Brandywine Building, there is a view of residential neighborhoods, apartment buildings, and lush green spaces. Trees scattered throughout the city create a contrast with concrete structures and serve as shelter for potential peregrine prey.

Wilmington's urban landscape is ideal for birds of prey. High-rise buildings replace natural rocky cliffs for them, while the abundance of pigeons and starlings provides a constant source of food. The camera on the east roof transmits not only the life of the nest, but also the general atmosphere of the city — street traffic, changing lighting throughout the day, and weather conditions.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam on the east roof of the Brandywine Building in Wilmington broadcasts a live stream from the peregrine falcon nest in real time. In the foreground is the flat roof with dark roll roofing, a downspout, and mounting elements. A light-colored stone parapet frames the nest box, where you can observe the adult birds and their offspring.

In the background, the urban landscape of Wilmington unfolds: residential neighborhoods, apartment buildings, dense vegetation, and trees. The camera operates around the clock, allowing you to see the nest both in daylight and at night. The live stream is available for free and without registration — just open the page to immerse yourself in the wildlife of the city center.