Conservation Setback as Rare Peregrine Falcon Fledgling Found Dead in Singapore’s Central Business District

One of Singapore's rare peregrine falcon fledglings has died in the CBD. Discover the latest on the remaining chicks and their first flights from OCBC Centre.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 5, 2026, 6:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

A Tragic Discovery in the Urban Jungle

The fragile progress of Singapore’s rarest breeding birds suffered a significant loss this weekend in the heart of the city. Dr Malcolm Soh, a principal researcher at the National Parks Board, confirmed that a peregrine falcon fledgling was found dead in the Central Business District on the afternoon of April 4. The bird was part of a second recorded batch of chicks that hatched in late February, nesting in a specialized recess above the 34th floor of the OCBC headquarters on Chulia Street. This incident underscores the inherent dangers young raptors face when navigating the transition from high altitude nests to the unforgiving concrete environment below.

The Perilous Journey Toward First Flight

The deceased fledgling belonged to a quartet of chicks whose development has been closely monitored by both researchers and the public. Of the three remaining siblings, two have already achieved a major developmental milestone by fledging and commencing their initial test flights. The third remaining chick is currently perched on the edge of independence, with experts predicting its first flight will occur today or within the next 48 hours. However, the process of learning to fly in a skyscraper dense environment is fraught with risk, as young birds can easily become grounded or miscalculate landings on slick glass and steel surfaces.

Technological Oversight and Conservation Milestones

The breeding pair, identified as the native Falco peregrinus ernesti subspecies, was first discovered in 2024 through a collaboration between NParks and the Swiss Ornithological Institute. Following the discovery of their mating site, conservationists installed gravel trays and a 24-hour CCTV camera to facilitate a successful breeding cycle. On April 3, the digital monitoring system successfully captured the moment one chick took flight, a scene broadcast to a live YouTube audience. This high tech oversight has provided invaluable data on the habits of these falcons, which are distinguished from their migratory counterparts by their solid black heads.