Three peregrine falcons hatch in Sagrada Família 

Three peregrine falcon chicks have hatched in a nest located on the towers of the unfinished Sagrada Família basilica. Unfortunately, only two of them survived.  

The three chicks were born between Tuesday night and Friday morning, including a fourth egg that did not hatch. The female bird began laying eggs in early March and has been incubating them ever since.  

The nest is part of a peregrine falcon reintroduction project launched by the Barcelona City Council in collaboration with environmental organization, Galanthus Natura in 1999.  

The Sagrada Família was chosen as one of the ideal locations to reintroduce the species because it was among the last places in the city where these birds nested before disappearing from the Catalan capital. The animals have been breeding successfully at the basilica's nest for over 20 years now. 

Peregine falcons are a cosmopolitan bird of prey renowned for their speed. Their high-speed dive can reach a velocity of 320 km/h, making them the fastest animals on the planet. They feed on other birds, like pigeons, in the case of Barcelona.  

Since 2022, the City Council and the Sagrada Família have had an agreement in place to ensure the continuity of the project and raise public awareness. Last year, a camera was installed at the nest to monitor the breeding process of the falcon pair. 

The camera ensures that the birds and hatchlings can be followed through a livestream, which is published by the Sagrada Família with a link from where the live broadcast of the nesting is accessible.  

Currently, there are eleven peregrine falcon pairs nesting in the metropolitan area: eight in Barcelona, two in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, and one in Sant Adrià de Besòs.  

All pairs have laid eggs this year, and it's expected that between 35 and 40 chicks will hatch.