Two Peregrine Falcon Chicks Hatch on Top of Barcelona's Iconic Sagrada Familia

A Milestone on Top of an Icon

Wildlife experts in Barcelona are celebrating after two peregrine falcon chicks hatched in a nest installed on top of the city's iconic Sagrada Familia.

A female falcon residing in one of the basilica's towers incubated three eggs, two of which successfully hatched. The heartwarming moment was captured live on a camera placed in the nest to record the breeding process.

250 Falcons Born in Barcelona Since 2023

The birth marks a significant milestone in efforts to reintroduce the peregrine falcon to Barcelona. Since 2023, more than 250 falcons have been born in the city, with eleven pairs currently breeding across the wider metropolitan area:

• Eight pairs in the city of Barcelona
• Two in nearby L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
• One in Sant Adrià de Besòs

All eleven pairs have laid eggs this year, meaning up to 40 chicks are expected to hatch in total.

The World's Fastest Bird

The peregrine falcon is famed for being one of the world's fastest birds, reaching speeds in excess of 300km/h when diving to hunt. They also play an important ecological role in regulating the population of other species — including pigeons, which Barcelona has in no short supply.

A Special Moment for the Sagrada Familia

The falcon chicks' arrival comes just two months after the Sagrada Familia finally reached its peak height — 172.5 metres — as the upper arm of the 17-metre cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ was winched into position, 144 years after construction began.

A celebration marking completion of the tower will take place on June 10 to coincide with the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death. The basilica welcomed over 4.8 million paying visitors in 2024, with almost 5% coming from the UK.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published April 14, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.