Raptor
July 6, 2009
On my way from the south section of Hudson River to the north, I pass Pier 40, a massive 14 acre structure complete with three-story, rectangular building, surrounding open-air playing fields in the center. As I walk by, motion in the sky over a corner of a large, four-story building, across sevens lanes of heavy traffic, attracts my attention.
There in the pale blue, sun-washed sky a black bird circles and flies at a second bird, of similar size. As I watch, the crow turns away, leaving the other bird alone. Immediately, I recognize the shape of a raptor, and when the bird spreads its wings to circle, I identify it as a falcon, perhaps a peregrine, by its pointed wings, and narrow tail. The bird flies along the top of the building, until it alights on the arched railing of a metal ladder running up to the roof on the outside wall.
Observing the raptor perched on the railing, I note the heavy black sideburns,” that confirm it as peregrine falcon. This is my best view of a peregrine, although several pairs of these birds nest and breed on New York City’s bridges and skyscrapers.
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