Predatory Calories: how the menu of Moscow peregrine falcons will help their reproduction

Russian scientists have conducted the largest studies of the diet of Moscow peregrine falcons. It turned out that there are more than 100 animals on the menu of predators. Pigeons and sparrows are most often their food, but sometimes other rare birds of prey become their prey. The data obtained will help ornithologists who are working to restore their population to assess how they have adapted to the metropolis, and understand which locations are best suited for their release. According to experts, the results of the study show that peregrine falcons are doing well in the capital, and the restoration of their number will have a positive impact on the entire ecosystem of the city.

What peregrine falcons eat in Moscow

Specialists of the All-Russian Research Institute of Ecology conducted a large-scale study of the diet of Moscow peregrine falcons. It turned out that the menu of predators contains more than a hundred names, among which birds, as well as some species of mammals, are widespread (pigeons, sparrows) and rarer (kestrel, cheglok, wild boar, and others) in the capital. Nutrition analysis will allow scientists to reliably assess the degree of adaptation of peregrine falcons to the conditions of a large metropolis and understand which locations are most favorable for their release in order to restore the population. The collected data will help ornithologists to better understand the species composition of birds in Moscow.

— Our research has shown that there are about 110 species of animals in the diet of Moscow peregrine falcons. There are about 100 species of birds and seven more mammals. Among other things, such an analysis will allow us to assess how suitable a location is for the release of a peregrine falcon so that it does not starve and its diet is varied," Vladimir Novikov, a laboratory researcher at the All—Russian Research Institute of Ecology, told Izvestia.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

The most detailed data was collected on the balconies of the upper floors of the main building of the Moscow State University. A remote surveillance camera installed in the nesting niche of a pair of peregrine falcons made it possible to study the diet of chicks and partly parents during the nesting period of 2023-2024 and obtain data on the temporary activity of birds.

Peregrine falcons serve in the Moscow Kremlin. They protect the domes of churches and the roofs of buildings from too many pigeons and sparrows. They are also used to protect against birds at airports.

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Work to increase the population of peregrine falcons in the capital is carried out within the framework of urban programs for the restoration of rare species of animals. Until the 1960s, peregrine falcons nested in Moscow in parks, forests, on the bell towers and towers of the Kremlin and in Stalin's skyscrapers. However, in the 40s, the pesticide DDT began to be widely used, according to the All-Russian Research Institute "Ecology". Over time, he disrupted the reproductive system of birds, which is why they began to die. This also led to the thinning of the shell, the mother hen crushed the clutch, no offspring appeared, and the population declined worldwide.

Photo: Global Look Press/Volker Lautenbach

The peregrine falcon is the top predator at the top of the food chain, and its niche in Moscow is empty, despite the fact that there are other predators. It affects the abundance of certain species that other predators do not hunt, the scientists said. For example, pigeons. If they do not serve as food for anyone, then genetic and infectious diseases accumulate among them. This is harmful to birds in the region, and sometimes to humans. The peregrine falcon primarily kills sick individuals, cleansing and revitalizing the population, experts emphasized.

Restoration of the peregrine falcon population

An analysis of the number of peregrine falcon individuals shows that their population in Moscow is still not massive enough. It is necessary to increase their number not only in the capital, but also in the region and other regions. The capital, as the center of the European part of Russia, is well suited for bird release. Young individuals during puberty begin to look for a place to nest. Since they are busy in the city, the young ones have to settle down and gradually fly to neighboring territories.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

In addition to the species common in the city, the menu of peregrine falcons also includes rare birds, some of which are listed in the Red Books of certain regions. However, since the impact that predators have on their numbers is quite natural, it is not dangerous for the population. The main thing is that people should interfere in these processes less often, the expert noted.

— Knowledge about which rare birds are included in the diet of peregrine falcons in certain territories indicates that this location is well suited for creating a conservation area for the restoration of this species, — said Vladimir Novikov.

The results of research on the diet of peregrine falcons in a megalopolis are of great interest, as they provide detailed information about the ecology of birds of prey in the city, including food chains in unstable urban ecosystems, said Galina Polynova, associate professor at the Department of Environmental Management at the RUDN University.

— For example, an analysis of the samples showed that peregrine falcons hunt more than 100 species, including not only massive species such as pigeons and sparrows, but also rare red Book birds such as the corncrake and the passerine owl. In addition, the materials contain additional information about the biodiversity of Moscow's vertebrates, including unexpected finds such as bats and squirrels," she said.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

Data on Red Book species are of particular interest, as they are collected bit by bit and help to assess the state of vulnerable populations in the urban environment, the specialist added.

The results of the study show that Moscow peregrine falcons eat quite a variety, but this is not the limit for predators, Igor Shkradyuk, coordinator of the industrial greening program at the Wildlife Conservation Center, told Izvestia. The fact that so many bird species live in Moscow is also encouraging. The population of peregrine falcons in the city needs to be restored, as top predators are necessary to regulate other parts of the food chain and counteract epidemics, the expert concluded.