Since 1995, a nest box on top of Market Tower in downtown Indianapolis has helped peregrine falcon parents raise 88 chicks. As one of the oldest nest boxes in the state, it was falling apart. The DNR ornithology team recently installed a new nest box for the next generations of falcons.
Due to the height of Market Tower, the nest boxes successfully mimic cliffside habitat that is scarce in Indiana. Staff and public efforts to build nest boxes have helped falcon population levels increase. As of 2013, peregrine falcons were taken off the state endangered list and are now considered species of greatest conservation need, which indicates progress.
If you want to learn more about the process of disassembling and installing a new nest box on a 421-foot tower, watch the video that documents the process.
