Comments on: Which is which?

By: Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:59:00 +0000

We walked to 5th and Neville Sts. on Thurs. to pay respects to the three Pittsburgh police officers killed in line of duty the previous Sat. For those readers not in town, the cortege passed that point on the way to their combined memorial service.

It was remarkable. Young, old, all races, many priests from nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral, students, older people, all in total silence.

The reason I am posting this here is that just before the procession passed a falcon swooped over and around our area. I am surely anthropomorphizing, but it was very comforting to see the bird sympathizing. I assure you–there were no pigeons nearby!

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:45:47 +0000

Dorothy incubates all night (a species trait) and for a lot of the day. E2 gives her longer daytime breaks than males at some other nest sites. I believe this division of labor is a trait of this couple and that daytime incubation duty varies from couple to couple.

By: Carla

Carla — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:39:54 +0000

Oh, never mind. She is back.

By: Carla

Carla — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:38:06 +0000

OK. Now that I think I can tell which is which, is it unusual that E2 has been sitting on the eggs for at least a few hours. I thought Dorothy did most of the sitting. Of course I could be wrong about who is in the nest.

By: Margaret Hookey

Margaret Hookey — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:05:19 +0000

Yes, this is exciting. My third egg-watch since my cousin Libby Strizzi cued me into this special bird. I am not as avid as she and you but have learned from tuning in, and feel just a bit more attached to this world.

By: Traci

Traci — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:51:02 +0000

OH!! That explains it! I thought only Dorothy sat on the eggs and I was just going to write and ask when she eats!! I didn’t realize both of them sat the eggs!! How cool is that!! So they BOTH do the ‘big sit’!!

THANKS!! for all you do!!

By: Kit McGlinchey

Kit McGlinchey — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:18:24 +0000

THANKS FOR SUCH A RICH AND EDUCATIONAL BLOG ON DOROTHY AND E2′S INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY. With your help, we are “easily” now able to see the difference between these two birds. You’re the best, Kate.

By: Kallen

Kallen — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:01:13 +0000

Thanks for this info. I have been tracking the Peragrines in Worcester and can’t tell them apart. All I know is that I have not seen them together since last Thursday so I am hoping she has laid her eggs so we will have more.

Great webcam captures. It is going to be so fun to watch once she has them.