Peregrine Falcon Chicks Hatch Atop the Sagrada Família

The towers of the Sagrada Família have two new inhabitants—a pair of peregrine falcon chicks. Their birth is part of a long-standing program to reintroduce these birds of prey into Barcelona's urban environment.

The chicks hatched in a nest located on one of the basilica's spires, which has been home to a resident pair of falcons for nearly 20 years. A third chick is expected to emerge in the coming days. The public can observe the daily lives of these birds via a live webcam installed directly at the nesting site.

The nest at the temple is a centerpiece of the peregrine falcon recovery project, launched by the Barcelona City Council in 1999 in collaboration with ecologists. The Sagrada Família was chosen as a key location because the species historically nested there before vanishing from the city decades ago.

Since the program began, approximately 250 peregrine falcon chicks have been born in Barcelona, with 56 of those hatching specifically within the towers of the Sagrada Família. Today, the city boasts eight active nesting pairs of these raptors.

The peregrine falcon is considered a vital indicator of the city's environmental health. These birds play a significant role in the ecosystem by regulating the populations of other species—most notably pigeons, which are their primary prey in urban areas. With Barcelona's pigeon population estimated at around 100,000—well above the ecological norm—the presence of these predators is seen as a natural and effective method of population control.