Moncton pair of peregrine falcons ready for their close-up

Two peregrine falcons living in a nesting box atop the Assumption Lifebuilding in Monctonfor the past 13 yearsare about to become famous thanks to a new live video feed that will allow them to be observed 24 hours a day.

Peregrine falcons are birds of prey that feed on smaller birds. They are the fastest birds in the world andcan reach speeds of up to 300 kilometresper hourwhile diving for prey. Until recently, peregrine falcons were considered an endangered species.

Fred Richards of Nature Moncton saidinstalling a live cam has beena goal sincethe nesting project began in 2011.

"I believe that an informed publicwhen it comes to nature and conservationis very important, and this will hopefully be a high-profile look at peregrines."

WATCH / The unfiltered life of Moncton's urban peregrine falcons:

Lights, camera, falcons: New live cam will broadcast peregrine falcon family 24/7

7 months ago

Duration 1:37

Monctons Magnetic Hill Zoo hopes viewing the falcons in their nest will inspire viewers to take action on environmental issues.

Richards said it has been an exciting week for members of the group, to see the project come to fruition.

Thatexcitement is shared with the team at the Magnetic Hill Zoo, a partner on the project.

Jill Marvin, director of the Magnetic Hill Zoo and Park, has been tuned into the livestream, which can beaccessed through the zoo's website, since its launch earlier this week.

"We're just excited for people to understand that right here, right in downtown Moncton, there is a peregrine falcon nest sitting up on one of the tops of the buildings. "

Peregrines have adapted to life in urban environments, Marvin said, with high-rise structures emulating the cliffsides they would live on in their natural habitats.

She saidthe birds actually benefiturban environments by controlling the populationof smaller birds, such as pigeons.

Marvin hopes the public will take the time to learn about falcons and the recovery of their population.

She says that in the 1970s there were threats of the bird becomingextinct because the spraying of pesticides, such asDDT,weakenedtheir eggs and caused them to collapse.

Through government action, the work of non-profits and researchers, Marvin says the population has grown.

"It's one of those happy stories where yes, human interference did lead to the potential extinction of this species but it also shows us that working together, and being inspired bythese birds, we can take positive actions and actually reverse what we may have impacted on."

Marvin saidshe hopes viewers of the live cam will get a chance to see the falcons living in the nest, layingeggs and raisingtheir chicks.

But the viewing does come with a warning. The livestream is unfiltered and the falcons may bring live prey back to the nest, she said.