2. Peregrine Falcons Call the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Home

Peregrine Falcons Banding 2012  

The endangered peregrine falcon has made a home atop the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. In the 1960s, these birds almost went completely extinct. Fortunately, the MTA and DEP stepped in and providing nesting homes for the falcons. Now, 5 falcons live atop the of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. According to the Bensonhurst Bean, the birds are named after residential references: Belle for Belle Harbor; Jake, for Jacob Riis Park; Bennett, for Floyd Bennett Field; and Gil, for baseball star Gil Hodges.

Our bridge expert, Dave Frieder, says he’s been attacked by these birds on numerous occasions, who dive bomb him while climbing.