Comments on: 4 Peregrine chicks banded at University of Pittsburgh

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:23:38 +0000

In Pittsburgh the ledges are dangerous/long enough that it’s too risky to return the chicks one at a time. Perhaps in Harrisburg they can just hand them out a window – I don’t know.
Peregrines can’t count? I believe they know which of their kids are missing but they may calm down sooner because when one comes back they see that they haven’t lost the entire family.

By: gloria

gloria — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:21:11 +0000

Kate: Thanks for the explanation. It would be great to be able to see everything the youngsters do… they are really amazing!!!! The interaction between the kids… and the way they relate to the parents… it is way too amazing…. I am so hooked, it is unbelievable. Thanks for all you do!
Glad to hear you spotted the budgie this am…hopefully the season will be kind and he/she will know what to do when the cooler weather sets in…. hope things work out for him/her. Hope you will keep us posted.
Gloria

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:31:37 +0000

Watching the banding in Harrisburg via the webcast, it was interesting to note that when they remove the chicks for banding, they immediately return one to the nest. It was mentioned that this helps keep the parents calm, because they can’t count how many chicks are in the nest. Maybe this technique can be used next year in Pittsburgh.

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:54:09 +0000

At Gulf Tower the plank goes down to a lower level. They walk up and down the plank during their ledge-walking phase. You can’t see it on the left of the camera view but there’s also a place for them to perch that they jump up to.

By: gloria

gloria — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:39:19 +0000

Wrote too soon… one of the parents flew in with dinner….

By: gloria

gloria — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:36:27 +0000

I guess I am just missing it the last couple of days. Haven’t seen either of the parents at the GT just the kids with their antics… Have seen the parents at the COL come in for feedings, but not at the GT.
Does anyone know where the plank in the front of the nest box goes to? One of Tasha’s kids are now crossing that plant in the front of the box (out of the camera’s view). The kid with almost all the adult feathers looks like he or she is ready to take off any minute.

By: Bonnie Jeanne

Bonnie Jeanne — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:28:27 +0000

O man, that chick looks like s/he is frowning. So cute, though!

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:06:01 +0000

The banding in Harrisburg is being shown on the internet:
http://www.dgsweb.state.pa.us/CMSUploads/live/livefalcon.asx

By: Joann

Joann — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:58:16 +0000

I’m just curious how do the chicks know when it is okay to take flight? I see that one of the chicks in Tasha’s nest has lost the majority of the white down & seems to be ready to try to fly but how do they just know when the time is now or right?

By: Janet Christensen

Janet Christensen — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:02:59 +0000

Kate, are there any more pictures of the banding at the Cathedral site? I really enjoyed looking at the ones from the Gulf Building. Thanks. Jan