Falcon Lays 2 Eggs High Atop Cuomo Bridge

TARRYTOWN, NY — Peregrine falcons have made their way back to the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and have started a family.

In a Twitter post, the Thruway Authority announced Tuesday the female falcon laid two eggs in the bridge's nest box.

The nest, which is more than 400 feet above the Hudson River, could see more eggs added to the bunch.

Falcons typically lay three to five eggs in the early spring, with chicks, called eyases, hatching a month later.

A webcam was installed in the box to document the lives of the migratory raptors. It's available online here.
The man-made nest box in the bridge was specifically designed for the needs of the falcons, according to a bridge spokesperson.

The endangered birds can scour for and dive after prey from the high vantage point near the top of the bridge.

Experts said peregrine falcons can reach speeds of more than 200 mph in a controlled dive, making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom.

"Peregrine" means "wanderer," experts said. The raptors fly north or south as the seasons change, migrating great distances.

Progress on the falcons and their eggs can be followed on Twitter.