Peregrine Falcon in Lyon: live webcam at the nest

The Silex Skyscraper — Home for High-Rise Predators

In the La Part-Dieu business district of Lyon rises one of the city's most notable buildings — the Silex² skyscraper. Standing 129 meters tall with 23 floors, this structure has become not only an architectural landmark of the neighborhood but also the home of a pair of peregrine falcons — the fastest birds of prey on the planet. The building's concept is based on architectural "grafting" — the new structure is organically "grafted" onto an existing historical foundation, creating a unique silhouette against the Lyon sky.

It is on the facade of this skyscraper that an artificial nest box has been installed, where the peregrine falcons have made their home. The live webcam allows you to observe the lives of these amazing birds in real time — from incubating eggs to the first flights of the chicks.

Peregrine Falcons in the Urban Environment: From Cliffs to Skyscrapers

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a bird of prey that historically prefers to nest on rocky ledges and in mountain crevices. However, in recent decades these feathered predators have increasingly chosen tall buildings in major cities. The reason is simple: high-rise structures with their cornices, niches, and facade ledges perfectly mimic natural rocky biotopes.

Peregrine falcons do not build their own nests — they use depressions in rocks, bare rock surfaces, or take over nests of other bird species, such as corvids or other birds of prey. In urban settings, specially installed nest boxes on building facades serve the role of rocky depressions. The artificial nest on the Silex skyscraper in Lyon is precisely such an example of the species' successful adaptation to the urbanized environment.

In the urban environment, the basis of the peregrine falcon's diet consists of feral pigeons — up to 70-80% of prey. The height of the building provides the birds with an ideal vantage point for hunting, and the abundance of pigeons within the city limits ensures a stable food supply. The peregrine falcon can reach a diving speed of over 320 km/h, making it the fastest animal on the planet — no prey can escape such a strike.

Nesting Season: What Happens in the Nest Box on the Facade

The nesting season for peregrine falcons in Lyon usually begins in March, when the pair occupies the nest box on the Silex facade. The female lays 3-4 eggs with a characteristic reddish-brown shell, and for 30-35 days both parents take turns incubating the clutch.

The hatched chicks are covered in white down and are completely dependent on their parents for the first few weeks. During this period, the male hunts intensively, bringing prey to the nest, while the female feeds and warms the offspring. By 35-42 days of age, the young birds begin making their first flight attempts, leaving the nest box for the building's cornice.

The live broadcast from the camera allows you to observe all stages of nesting — from courtship displays and incubation to the first flights of the young. The webcam operates around the clock, and even at night you can see the birds in the nest thanks to infrared illumination.

La Part-Dieu District: The Heart of Business Lyon

The Silex skyscraper is located at the very center of Lyon's business activity — the La Part-Dieu district. This is the city's largest business center, home to offices of major companies, shopping complexes, and the famous railway station serving up to 120,000 passengers per day.

The district has been actively built up since the 1970s, and today its skyline is shaped by several dozen high-rise buildings. It is precisely this dense urban development with an abundance of tall buildings and food supply that attracts peregrine falcons. The birds feel quite comfortable here — the height of the buildings provides safety from ground predators, and the abundance of pigeons and other urban birds solves the problem of sustenance.

La Part-Dieu is not only a business hub but also a transportation hub of Lyon. Metro lines, trams, and high-speed TGV trains intersect here, making the district easily accessible for tourists and local residents who want to see the Silex skyscraper in person.

How to Get to the Silex Skyscraper

For those who want to see the habitat of Lyon's peregrine falcons in person, the Silex skyscraper is within walking distance of the La Part-Dieu station. There are several ways to get here:

Metro: Line B, La Part-Dieu station — exit toward the business district. The skyscraper is visible from the station square.

Tram: Lines T1, T3, T4 — Gare Part-Dieu or Lafayette stop.

By car: From the A7 highway, take the exit toward Lyon-Centre, then follow signs for La Part-Dieu. Parking is available at the La Part-Dieu shopping center and on surrounding streets.

It is worth noting that the peregrine falcon nest is located at a considerable height on the facade, and spotting the birds with the naked eye is quite difficult. This is precisely why the live webcam is the best way to observe peregrine falcons in Lyon without risking disturbance to the nesting birds.

Why Peregrine Falcons Chose Silex

The peregrine falcons' choice of the Silex skyscraper in Lyon is no accident. Several factors make this building attractive for nesting:

Height and architecture: 129 meters provide an ideal vantage point for hunting and protection from ground threats. The cornices and niches of the facade create shelters reminiscent of natural rocky ledges.

Food supply: The La Part-Dieu district with its open spaces and abundance of pigeons provides the peregrine falcons with a stable food supply throughout the year.

Artificial nest: The installed nest box with a gravel substrate creates comfortable conditions for incubating eggs and raising chicks. Such boxes are specifically designed with the needs of peregrine falcons in mind — sufficient depth, protection from precipitation, and drainage.

Minimal disturbance: Unlike rocky massifs, where nests can be subject to tourist invasions, the skyscraper facade provides natural isolation from unwanted attention.

Observing Peregrine Falcons: Ethics and Rules

Peregrine falcons are protected in many European countries, including France. Disturbing nesting birds can lead to abandoned clutches or orphaned chicks. This is precisely why the live webcam is not only a convenient but also an ethical way to observe these predators.

The live broadcast allows ornithologists and nature enthusiasts to study the behavior of peregrine falcons without interfering in their lives. The camera is installed at a safe distance from the nest and does not cause discomfort to the birds. Thanks to this, the peregrine falcons on the Silex skyscraper in Lyon have been successfully nesting for several years in a row.

Observation via the online camera also allows recording important moments in the pair's life — arrivals with prey, feeding of chicks, first flight attempts. This data is valuable for scientists studying the adaptation of birds of prey to the urban environment.

What You Can See on the Camera

The camera is aimed at the artificial nest — a nest box installed on the facade of the Silex skyscraper in Lyon. Two peregrine falcons are visible in the frame: one is inside the nest box on a gravel substrate, the other stands on the windowsill next to the entrance to the box. Part of the building's facade with metal elements and railings also falls within the camera's field of view.

The webcam broadcasts live 24/7, allowing you to observe the lives of peregrine falcons in real time. During daylight hours, the birds are often active — arriving with prey, feeding chicks, or simply resting on the cornice. At night, the peregrine falcons are usually in the nest, and thanks to infrared illumination, they can still be seen on the monitor.

The broadcast quality allows you to examine the details of the birds' plumage, their behavior, and interactions. This is a unique opportunity to see the lives of the planet's fastest predators in their natural habitat — at a height of over one hundred meters above the streets of Lyon.