Falcons are a prominent part of Virginia’s natural landscape, with the state hosting multiple species. Virginia’s highly diverse geography, including the Appalachian Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain, provides suitable habitats for these fast-flying raptors year-round. These environments support both permanent residents and migratory species, making Virginia a significant location for falcon observation.
The Three Falcon Species Native to Virginia
Virginia is home to three main falcon species, each with distinct size and status. The most common and smallest is the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), a colorful raptor measuring roughly 8 to 12 inches long. Kestrels are widespread, year-round residents often seen hovering or perched on utility wires overlooking open fields and farmlands throughout the state.
The Merlin (Falco columbarius) is a small, compact, and powerful hunter about 9 to 11 inches in length. Merlins are primarily migratory passage birds in Virginia, moving rapidly during the spring and fall, especially along the coast and barrier islands. Although historically non-breeding, recent observations confirm the species has begun to establish nesting pairs in suburban areas.
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the largest, with a body length of 14 to 19 inches. It is renowned as the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds up to 200 miles per hour in a hunting dive. This species is a year-round resident in parts of Virginia, but its population has a complex history tied to human activity.
The Peregrine Falcon’s Conservation Story
The Peregrine Falcon population in Virginia and the eastern United States suffered a catastrophic collapse due to the widespread use of DDT following World War II. The pesticide caused bioaccumulation in the falcons’ prey, leading to a failure of calcium metabolism. This contamination thinned eggshells, causing eggs to break during incubation and driving the species to total extirpation as a nesting bird in the state by the mid-1960s.
Following the ban of DDT in the early 1970s, an aggressive and coordinated reintroduction program began across the East Coast. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and partners spearheaded these efforts by releasing captive-bred chicks in a process called “hacking.” This technique involved raising the young falcons in a secure box at a release site until they were ready to fledge, establishing a new generation in the wild.
This recovery effort has proven highly successful, particularly in the Coastal Plain region, where the falcons readily adapted to nesting on man-made structures that mimic their natural cliff habitats. Numerous pairs now successfully breed on major bridges, such as the Coleman Memorial Bridge and the James River Bridge, as well as on tall buildings in cities like Richmond and Virginia Beach. The overall success led to the species’ removal from the federal endangered species list in 1999. Despite the national delisting, the Peregrine Falcon remains state-listed as threatened in Virginia, largely due to the slow recovery of nesting pairs in its historic mountain strongholds.
Viewing Habitats and Observation Tips
Observing falcons in Virginia requires knowing each species’ preferred hunting grounds. The American Kestrel is the easiest to spot, inhabiting open country and agricultural fields across the Piedmont and Valley regions year-round. Look for them perched on high points like telephone poles, power lines, or isolated dead trees, where they scan for insects and small rodents. Their characteristic head-bobbing motion makes them easily identifiable.
Merlins are best observed during the migratory seasons of spring and fall, particularly along the Atlantic Flyway. Coastal regions, including the Eastern Shore and barrier islands, are prime locations to catch a glimpse of these raptors as they pass through. They are often seen chasing small songbirds, a behavior that can appear as a sudden burst of speed across an open area.
For Peregrine Falcons, viewing opportunities are concentrated in two distinct habitats: the coast and high-elevation natural cliffs. Breeding pairs can be reliably found in urban centers like downtown Richmond, nesting on skyscrapers, and near major coastal bridge crossings. In the western part of the state, visitors to Shenandoah National Park may spot them soaring above high ridges near rocky outcrops, where conservation efforts continue to encourage the re-establishment of the mountain population.