Hello, our company conducts emissions testing on stacks. Living on or around these stacks there may be falcons, or other birds of prey. We are concerned that the swooping birds create a potential hazard of falling from great heights among other things.

Do you have any resources that would provide advice on avoidance of falcons? Are there decoys, certain colors, eyes that we can place on our hardhats, or any other practices that can help reduce this hazard?

Regards, Chris Fish

I consulted with wildlife biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources about your post. Typically birds of prey do not feign attack unless a nest is involved. Hawks, owls, eagles, falcons do not "attack" people out of territorial issues unless they are protecting their nest and young. Harming these birds or nests is a Federal issue. It is possible that birds in this situation and Chicago location could very easily be Peregrine falcons, which is listed as an endangered species in Illinois. There are no suggestions for deterring the swooping behavior. Usually the birds will not make contact when swooping, and ignoring the bird is all that can be done.

If you need further resources to contact local experts you can call Jacque (Jack) Nuzzo at the Illinois Raptor Center, 217/963-6909 near Decatur, Illinois. He has contacts in that area that may be able to help. Or contact Joe Kath with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217/782-6384 as he would be interested in known Peregrine nesting sites.