Xcel Energy Falcon Cams

Background

Our falcon cam features three nest sites at Xcel Energy power plants in Minnesota. They include the Allen S. King Plant, Sherco Generating Plant and High Bridge Plant.


The nest boxes at these sites are installed 300 - 600 feet above the ground to imitate the same features of high cliffs. Falcons perch where they have excellent views of the skies, so they can spot and “skydive” for prey.


Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the falcons' nesting activities.

Riverside 

Allen S. King Plant

Falcon Facts

  • Peregrine falcons are the fastest raptors on earth with diving speeds of more than 200 mph and level flight speeds of more than 60 mph.
  • These falcons are relatively smaller than other birds of prey. They grow to about 15 inches in length and have a 40-inch wingspan. The use of the pesticide DDT nearly wiped out the entire population in the 1960s.
  • Both parents help incubate the eggs as well as raise the young peregrines.
  • Peregrine falcons have been known to live for up to 15 years.

About

Peregrine falcons find the boxes installed on power plant stacks attractive as nesting sites because they offer some of the same features as the high cliffs, which they naturally prefer. Installed 300 to 600 feet above the ground, the boxes provide a perch where peregrines have an excellent view of the skies around them and can quickly spot and “skydive” for prey. The boxes were first installed at our Minnesota power plants beginning in 1989 to help return peregrines to the Mississippi River Valley. Since 1989, our falcon nest boxes have fledged 399 young falcons.

Interested in corresponding with other Bird Cam viewers? Join the BirdCam Forum available through the Raptor Resource Project.