Since late August, tens of thousands of Australians have been captivated by ‘Nest-flix,’ a 24-hour reality channel showcasing the dramatic lives of peregrine falcons nesting atop a Melbourne skyscraper. This avian saga, often likened to ‘Game of Thrones,’ features airborne battles, courtship rituals, births, and even the occasional earthquake. The stars of the show are the falcons themselves, whose lives unfold 34 storeys above the bustling city streets. Currently, viewers are eagerly awaiting the moment when this year’s chicks, hatched in late September, take their first flight. Dr. Victor Hurley, founder of the Victorian Peregrine Project, explains that the mother falcon teases her chicks by flying past with prey, encouraging them to take the plunge. ‘She’s essentially saying, ‘You wanna eat? Well, you gotta fly,’ he remarks. This deliberate reduction in food helps the chicks develop the strength and agility needed for their first flight. The story of these falcons began in 1991 when Dr. Hurley discovered their nesting site on an office building at 367 Collins Street. Initially, the falcons struggled due to their eggs being laid in a metal gutter, which acted as a heat sink. Dr. Hurley recommended installing a nest box, which led to the successful hatching of three chicks the following year. In 1993, a CCTV camera was installed to observe the nest, and in 2017, a webcam was added, allowing ‘Nest-flix’ to be broadcast live on YouTube. The falcons’ Facebook fan page has since amassed over 50,000 members, creating a supportive online community. Kylie Humrick, a moderator of the group, notes that the page exploded in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering people a sense of connection to the natural world. Over the years, the nest has been home to six or seven different pairs of falcons, each fiercely territorial. The site is highly prized for its abundant food supply, including pigeons and sparrows. However, this desirability has led to dramatic conflicts, with ‘floaters’—unpaired falcons—attempting to claim the territory. In 2022, a male falcon was replaced by a younger bird after a weeks-long battle, and in 2023, the resident female sustained brain damage after a fight with another female. Despite these challenges, the falcons continue to thrive, symbolizing resilience in the urban environment. The chicks are expected to fledge soon, marking a significant milestone in their lives. Dr. Hurley hopes they take their time, as a rushed first flight could lead to accidents. Once they make their first kill, they will be on their own, potentially chased out of the territory by their parents. With a 60% mortality rate in the first year, life is tough for young peregrine falcons. Yet, those that survive can begin breeding at three years old, continuing the cycle of life. As the fledging approaches, excitement builds among the online community, with many eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this high-flying urban drama.
‘Nestflix’: the peregrine falcon livestream that has Australians glued to their screens
