Comments on: Pitt peregrines “go live”

By: Kate StJ

Kate StJ — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:14:01 +0000

So far (as of 4/15/08) we have only been able to see the color of the bands on the new male peregrine at Pitt. We haven’t been able to read the numbers. The colors indicate he was banded in the eastern US or Canada. That’s a HUGE area to choose from. We won’t know anything more until we can read the numbers on his bands.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:40:47 +0000

Can you tell anything about the origins of the new male based on his legbands? Are there marks on the bands to tell who banded him? Where he was banded, etc?

About how many falcons are known to be around the area?

By: Kate StJ

Kate StJ — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:55:30 +0000

Answers to Libby’s questions:

How long does she incubate? The eggs usually hatch 38-40 days after the first one is laid and all within 24 hours or so. Since Dorothy starts incubating after the 3rd egg is laid that means she has 34-36 days of incubation ahead of her. I have often wondered how she copes with being so inactive. Since all mother birds go through this there may be a hormonal adjustment that helps.

Does papa take over occasionally? Yes! In the morning he goes hunting at dawn, brings her food and then takes over at the nest. After she’s eaten and flown a little she comes back & resumes incubation. You can sometimes tell who is who by size. He looks pretty small after you’ve gotten used to seeing her.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:19:00 +0000

I’m glad I stumbled across your blog Kate. Thanks for the heads up on the falcon cam at Pitt. Great to see three of my favorite institutions intersecting on the subject of birds - Pitt, National Aviary WQED.

By: Libby Strizzi

Libby Strizzi — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:49:12 +0000

This is really neat. I keep the website up on my computer and regularly check in. Just a thought: poor bird, how boring to sit hour after hour, day after day — no book to read or TV to watch to while away the time. How many days/weeks does she do this? And, I forget, does papa take over occasionally?