Since late August, tens of thousands of Australians have been hooked on Nestflix — a 24-hour livestream that delivers more drama than your average TV show. The stars? A family of peregrine falcons living high above Melbourne’s busy streets.
The livestream, often compared to Game of Thrones for its intense rivalries, romance, and battles, follows the life of the falcons nesting atop the 367 Collins Street skyscraper. Right now, viewers are eagerly awaiting the most anticipated moment of the season: when this year’s chicks take their first flight.
From their 34th-floor ledge, the young falcons can be seen flapping their wings in preparation, while their mother swoops by with pigeons in her talons — taunting them to take the leap.
“She’s basically saying, ‘You want dinner? Then you’d better learn to fly,’” explains Dr. Victor Hurley, founder of the Victorian Peregrine Project.
He says this behavior — teasing and feeding the chicks less — helps them slim down and build the muscle strength needed for flight.
The Rise of Nestflix
Dr. Hurley first discovered the nesting site back in 1991, the same year he founded the Victorian Peregrine Project, a volunteer group dedicated to protecting the species. At the time, the birds were laying eggs in a cold metal gutter that doomed their chicks. Once a proper nest box was installed, success followed — three chicks hatched the next year.
By 1993, a CCTV camera allowed onlookers to observe the nest, and in 2017, the Nestflix livestream went online. Today, it boasts a Facebook fan group with over 50,000 members, where fans celebrate every new egg, chick, and flight.
“It’s a lovely, positive corner of the internet,” says long-time fan and moderator Kylie Humrick. “During lockdown, it gave people a sense of connection — something to look forward to every day.”
In 2021, the falcons even went viral when one was startled by an earthquake, creating a memorable moment for fans watching live.
Sky-High Rivalries
Over the decades, at least six or seven falcon pairs have claimed this prime piece of Melbourne real estate — a perfect hunting ground thanks to its abundance of pigeons and sparrows. But being a peregrine comes with drama. The birds are fiercely territorial, and fights over the nest can be brutal.
In 2022, a new male took over the nest after weeks of violent clashes, killing his predecessor mid-season. Though inexperienced, the new mate eventually helped raise the chicks — earning the nickname “the dad who stepped up.”
The following year brought more heartbreak when the resident female suffered brain trauma after a fight with another female, leaving the nest abandoned that season.
“These birds kill for a living,” says Dr. Hurley. “When they fight for territory, there’s no mercy — it’s nature at work.”
A Tough Start for Young Falcons
The current chicks are expected to fledge any day now — the male first, followed by his two larger sisters about a week later. The females’ extra weight means it takes longer to develop the strength needed for flight.
Their first leap is risky: a strong gust of wind or a bad landing could spell disaster. Last year, one chick had to be rescued after crashing into another skyscraper’s balcony.
Once the young falcons make their first successful hunt, they’ll be on their own — often driven out by their parents to claim new territory. Peregrines face a 60% mortality rate in their first year, a harsh but natural balance for apex predators.
Still, for Melbourne’s online community of birdwatchers, this moment is pure joy.
“It’s always so emotional when they fledge,” says Humrick. “You’ve watched them grow up, and then suddenly, they’re gone. But it’s beautiful — they’ve made it.”
With binoculars ready and livestreams open, thousands are waiting for the next chapter of Nestflix to unfold — proof that sometimes, the best drama isn’t scripted.