One of Singapore’s peregrine falcon chicks found dead

One of four peregrine falcon chicks born to Singapore’s only known breeding pair was found dead on April 4. The chick was part of a batch hatched in late February at a nest located on the 34th floor of the OCBC Centre on Chulia Street.

Falcon Chick Found Dead in Singapore

The National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed the death, stating the bird was found on the ground in the Central Business District on the afternoon of April 4, according to principal researcher Dr. Malcolm Soh.

Of the remaining three chicks, two have fledged and are taking test flights. The third is expected to fledge today or in the next few days, Dr. Soh said.

On April 3, footage of one chick taking flight was captured on NParks’ 24-hour YouTube live stream of the nest, which launched on March 5.

NParks advises the public to contact their Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 if any of the fledglings are seen on the ground, as they may accidentally land during practice flights.

Witnesses reported seeing crows attacking a falcon on April 3. Procurement officer Pearlyn Chan, 45, said she observed two crows “constantly challenging and picking at” a falcon chick.

Juvenile peregrine falcons in urban areas, like those at the OCBC building, have a higher survival rate – between 50% and 60% – compared to those born in the wild, which have a survival rate of 31% to 50%, according to studies cited by Ms. Veronica Foo, chair of the Nature Society Singapore’s bird group.

Threats to falcon chicks include predation by larger birds of prey, attacks by birds like house crows, and difficulty finding enough food, said Dr. Movin Nyanasengeran, president of the Bird Society of Singapore.

Peregrine falcons, the world’s fastest animals, can reach speeds exceeding 320kmh when diving for prey. They have adapted to nesting on building ledges and alcoves, providing shelter and access to urban prey.

The OCBC pair belongs to the Falco peregrinus ernesti subspecies, native to Singapore and considered the rarest breeding birds in the region. They are identifiable by their solid black heads, unlike migratory peregrine falcons.

Researchers from the Swiss Ornithological Institute and NParks discovered the nesting site after observing the pair mating and entering a recess on the OCBC Centre’s exterior in 2024. Loose gravel was added to the site to improve nesting comfort, and two chicks hatched the following year. A CCTV camera was installed to monitor the breeding cycle.