Chongqing - On a quiet morning along the Jialing River, Mr. Chen noticed a striking bird perched on the iron railing of a bridge. With piercing eyes and smoke-gray feathers, it suddenly spread its wings and cut across the sky like a flash of lightning.

It was a peregrine falcon — a nationally protected species in China and one of the fastest birds on Earth. Once merely winter visitors passing through Chongqing, these northern raptors are increasingly choosing to stay, becoming part of the city’s skyline and everyday rhythm.

Once a fleeting visitor, the peregrine falcon now calls Chongqing home.

From the North to the Mountain City

As northern winds grow cold in autumn and winter, peregrine falcons embark on a long southward migration from Northeast China, the North China Plain, and even Siberia. The mountainous landscape and warm climate of Chongqing offer them the perfect refuge.

“The city’s unique parallel mountain-valley terrain creates natural updrafts for soaring, while the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers provides abundant prey such as fish, pigeons, and rodents,” said birdwatcher A Jun. “That’s why the falcons return every winter — and some decide to stay.”

In recent years, bridges and skyscrapers have become their new nesting sites. Some falcons still migrate north in spring, but others have turned into permanent residents — new “citizens” of Chongqing’s skies.

At dawn, a pair of peregrines can often be seen circling above the river. From bridge towers, they watch the flow of traffic below, waiting for the right moment. Once prey appears, the falcon folds its wings and dives at speeds reaching 300 kilometers per hour — a blur of speed and precision that few humans ever witness.

One pair has lived under a bridge in Jiulongpo District for over a year and a half. “The male hunts, the female guards the nest,” A Jun said. “They share food, care for their chicks — it’s incredibly moving to watch.”

This summer, he saw the pair raise two chicks successfully. “The four of them flying together over the river was such a beautiful sight. On hot days, they’d skim the water to cool off.”

More Than a Visitor

Known in Chinese as the Huali Eagle, the peregrine falcon embodies both strength and elegance. Males are darker and smaller, while females are larger and lighter in plumage. Their black “hoods,” bright yellow eye-rings, and streaked bellies make them unmistakable.

“Many bridges in Chongqing have resident peregrines now,” said another birdwatcher, Shi Qiao. “We don’t reveal their exact locations to avoid disturbance.”

Far from being disturbed by the city, these birds thrive within it — nesting in bridge crevices, preying on pigeons, wild ducks, and bats. When night falls, they dart through the shadows above the river, fierce yet graceful guardians of the urban sky.

Citizen birdwatchers like A Jun and Shi Qiao have become quiet witnesses to this coexistence. They record the falcons’ behaviors, yet always keep a respectful distance.

“Once I saw a female falcon calling anxiously for her mate,” Shi recalled. “He was late returning from hunting, and she circled the nest, calling repeatedly — just like a worried partner.”

Their observations reveal a tender side of these predators — cooperation, care, and even affection. “Protecting wildlife starts with not disturbing them,” A Jun emphasized.

The return of the peregrine reflects Chongqing’s improving ecology. Decades ago, pollution and urban noise kept raptors away. With river restoration, wetland reserves, and ecological corridors, the city is once again welcoming wild visitors — and even convincing some to stay.

“The fact that they’re staying means something,” said A Jun. “They’ve found food, shelter, and safety here. It shows the city is becoming friendlier — for humans and for nature.”

As night falls and the city lights shimmer on the river, a falcon perches silently on a bridge railing, feathers glowing bluish-gray under the glow. Below, cars flow like rivers; above, a predator turned neighbor surveys its urban realm.

It is no longer a passerby — but a resident, sharing the same sky with us.