About PBRG

Our Mission: To use the example of the Peregrine Falcon recovery as an inspiration for tackling today’s environmental challenges, and to involve students and citizen scientists in monitoring the current status of predatory birds in California.

A History of Raptor Conservation

Formed in 1975, the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group worked under state and federal permits along with cooperation from the Pacific States Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team to save the Peregrine Falcon from the brink of a pesticide-mediated extinction. Our pioneering work led to the Peregrine’s removal from the federal list of endangered species in 1999 and from California’s list of endangered species in 2009.

The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group also led or initiated successful breeding and release efforts for elf owls, Aplomado Falcons, Harris’s Hawks, and Bald Eagles. We also undertook significant studies of Prairie Falcons, Bald Eagle migrations, Goshawks, and Golden Eagles. In all, more than forty years of conservation biology have been funded primarily by private sector gifts and grants and supported by a robust volunteer effort.

People of PBRG

Zeka Glucs, Ph.D.
Director

Predatory Bird Research Group
Ocean Health Building
100 McCallister Way
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Email: zekaglucs@ucsc.edu
Website: https://zekaglucs.wordpress.com/

Glenn R. Stewart
Affiliated Researcher

Predatory Bird Research Group
Ocean Health Building
100 McCallister Way
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Email: stewartfalcon@gmail.com
Publication: Eye to Eye with Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons

Current Projects

Peregrine Falcon Monitoring Program
Our on-going Peregrine Falcon research in the San Francisco Bay Area, fueled by a dedicated group of student and volunteer falcon observers, is revealing interesting nest location choices and dispersal patterns for hatch-year birds. These open modern challenges, as falcons have move beyond their traditional cliff nesting habitats to tall city buildings and bridges, so we advise owners of structures where Peregrine falcons nest how to accommodate these fully protected birds

Pajaro River Levee Raptor Pilot Study
We are partnering with the Zone 7 Flood Control and Water Conservation District of Santa Cruz County and Native Animal Rescue to deploy raptor recruitment structures along the Pajaro River Levee System and monitor effects on burrowing rodent damage.

Pajaro Raptor Pilot Study Project Page

KSQD Community Radio - Santa Cruz Naturalists Series

Listen to our story

Listen to the interview here

Keep up with our current work by following our field notes. Volunteers and undergraduate researchers will be updating the public on their endeavors.

Education and Outreach

A vital part of our mission is to inspire and prepare the conservation leaders of tomorrow through sharing our science with K-12 classrooms and the general public. In addition to visiting classrooms, we are piloting innovative ways to reach students across the globe through lesson plans associated with our Peregrine Falcon nest cams and an upcoming educational podcast. In order to conduct our research, we provide internships that teach and train undergraduate students to make field observations and conduct their own research, all valuable skills for entering the environmental sciences.