Shaheen falcons spotted nesting in Kochi, Kerala

Key facts

• A pair of Shaheen falcons, a subspecies of the Peregrine falcon, was found nesting in a multi-storey residential complex under construction in Kochi, Kerala.
• While Shaheen falcons are found across the Indian subcontinent in rocky or hilly regions, they are considered rare in the state of Kerala.
• The species is known for the stoop, a hunting dive that can exceed speeds of 300 kilometres per hour.
• Physical characteristics of the Shaheen falcon include a greyish-black upper body, a pale lower body, yellow talons, and a dark vertical stripe from the eye to the side of the face.
• The birds in Kochi were observed preying on bats from the nearby Mangalavanam area, as well as pigeons, mynahs, and bulbuls.
• Conservationists indicate that the adaptation of these cliff-dwelling birds to urban landscapes is a sign of environmental degradation and the loss of traditional nesting habitats.