Last night after sunset, viewers of the Cathedral of Learning falconcam heard a peregrine calling off camera and Hope began to “ee-chup” and bow at the nest. This is courtship behavior! Hope has found a potential mate.
In the video excerpt above you’ll hear a peregrine wailing off camera as Hope bows and calls, asking him to join her at the nest.
The episode began at 7:53pm and lasted at least 6 minutes.
We don’t know if her potential mate spent the night on the Cathedral of Learning. If he isn’t yet comfortable with the building he may have roosted elsewhere. (Remember, the place is all new to him. He will be cautious at first.)
This morning Hope called very loudly from 6:47 to 6:51am, “Hey! Where are you?” Then she left the nest.
Don’t worry if Hope is not at the nest much in the coming days. Peregrine courtship requires many spectacular aerial displays. That’s how the two birds get to know each other.
Watch and listen to the falconcam for more peregrine “conversations.” We’ll know their courtship has reached a deeper level when we see both peregrines bowing at the nest.
We have high hopes that she’s found a mate. 🙂
p.s. Click here and scroll down to the Courtship section to learn more about peregrine courtship displays.
(video from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ. of Pittsburgh captured from WildEarth.tv archives)
p.s. Since I posted this article Hope and the new male have been seen mating three times! Woo hoo!
IF YOU ARE AT PITT, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET CLOSE TO THESE BIRDS. Peregrines view humans as their enemies & will leave the area if they think we are too close. Hope & her mate are so new to Pitt that they may be frightened away by seeing you staring at a window.
Every morning I check to see if there is new news. Can’t wait to see what happens. So happy for Hope.
What happy news to wake up to! She was calling on-camera just a few minutes ago (around 7:33 or so) and is now sitting on her eggs again … here’s hoping her new friend comes back soon!
I have an exam to be writing. I should not be out on the front patio of our building watching the cathedral. I wonder how completely out of my mind it would be to think I could get any writing done with my laptop down at Schenley Plaza.
Peter, you’re probably out of your mind but you’re in good company!
I was watching the cam last night when she came home, it was music to my ears to hear her. So very very happy for her and her new mate. He thinks Hope is as beautiful as we do.
Yes, Peter, you’re in good company. Nothing gets done around here when there is any action at the Cathedral, and action there appears to be. Hearing lots of squawking right now (at 7:57).
This is such good news. Hope, you’re a looker and living in the Taj Mahal of nests. Surely, the guy is going to stay! Talons crossed.
I just love them so much! Love following your blog, Kate!
Hope is music to my ears !!
Report from Anne Marie in Oakland about 5 mins ago: Hope & mate seen on courtship flight around Cathedral of Learning
I was same as Peter, only trying to get a shower to come to work, so set the video running in front of the computer. This is beyond thrilling!
(IF) he is unbanded, and a name is needed, Triton, means third, Erie, E2, Triton. Just a thought.
Jane, here’s the policy on naming that we use here in Pittsburgh: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/peregrine-faqs/question-how-do-peregrines-get-their-names/
This is great news. Thank you for keeping us updated, Kate.
I work in Oakland right across from the Cathedral – the male is definitely swooping around the cathedral a ton this morning – at least 20 minutes so far – and I did see two birds earlier that I think were both of them!
Peter, nthing that you’re in good company – I’m not supposed to be in Oakland until this afternoon, but I’m seriously considering packing up my laptop so I can come down and work from there this morning =) I’m so glad this blog exists so that we all know there are others sharing the experience – thank you, Kate!
I will get nothing done today. This is much more interesting !!
I took a screen shot of a bird-like shadow cast on the nest at while Hope sitting on her eggs on Tuesday (11:54am). I was hoping that it was a mate that came to visit!
Thank you Kate for all the updates!! This is so exciting. I hope the new mate is banded so we know who he is!
Kate, THANK YOU SO MUCH, for all the valuable information you provide, and for taking the time to answer all of our questions. It is truely appreciated.
Great news ! Very happy for Hope 😀
Need as of 8:42am. Using a birding scope from the end of my street I can see the CL. I saw them mate. 🙂
Thank you for these updates! This is so exciting! 🙂
Whoo Hoo….great news! Thanks for the info Kate. “Hope”fully this turns out
to be a successfull season for CofL Falcons, even though it got off to a rough start.
Thinking positive!
“March Madness” has an entirely different meaning to this wonderful group, doesn’t it?!
Anne
Thanks for the updates, Anne Marie and Kate! High hopes indeed! 🙂
Oh Kate, thanks for letting us know that they are mating. And for all the other info, too of course. So maybe the eggs already in the nest will be viable, and we’ll get a few more. All my body parts are crossed in hoping that is so!
wow that was fast!!! what fantastic news to start the day. I was thinking I had finally become scientifically detached (i.e. not emotional) about the peregrines. This blows that.
Woo hoo! This is such wonderful news knowing Hope and her mate have mated! Thank you Kate for all you do and for keeping us updated on everything. I, too, am hoping for the best for Hope and her nest.
Thanks Kate for letting us know they were mating. Prayers for Hope.
Thank you for everything, Kate. Your information has made so many feel so much better! Words cannot express my appreciation.
Kate, I was watching last night and since I’m fairly new to watching the falcons, I thought it was an intruder!I’m so glad it wasn’t and happy Hope may have found a mate! Thank you for keeping us updated, and look forward to any news, you may have!
This is wonderful news! Hope has certainly lived up to her name, so very happy for our Pitt Peregrines.
I got a few pictures of the new suitor, taken from my office window.
My wife just saw one of the birds with a dead robin – did anybody else catch that? I was going to remark that the new guy hadn’t even bought Hope dinner yet, but perhaps I’m mistaken!
Boy, who needs Netflix when you’ve got Falcon Abbey! =)
I did see Hope in the nest with a robin. I wasn’t sure if she caught it herself or if it was given to her.
What’s going on with her feather standing out sideways?
Her feather is coming out. No problem. It will go away eventually
Yay yay yay!!!!!!!!!
Stepfather!?
I am so excited to hear that there is a mate for Hope. praying that this season goes well for her. Nice easter present. babies at hays eagle nest and Hope has a mate. Couldn’t ask for more. Thanks Kate for your updates.
What will happen with her 3 eggs?
This is better than any prime time drama. I only began following last season so I’m looking forward to seeing how this all plays out. As sad as it was to loose E2, Hope seems to have found a new mate and life must go on. Here’s to a successful nesting season for our2 brand new residents ?
Kate, what is the time frame for the new male to visit the nest?
Stacyj – yes I saw Hope bring a small dead bird into the nest this morning. She ate briefly then flew away with it. When she came back she didn’t have it. I figured she gave it to Mystery Beau bird.
Sue V, Hope probably took it away to eat elsewhere. The females do not give food to the males. It’s exclusively the other way around: the males provide food for the females.
Kate – I was being somewhat facetious since I know they aren’t scavengers but it’s always good to have confirmation.
I am so thankful to you Kate for your knowledge and your updates that you share with all of us. Saddened to lose E2. Hoping that Hope has found a new mate and nature will take the course it will take.
Why doesn’t Hope return calls when she hears the male calling while she’s in the scrape? She sure was calling last night!
Bethany, we humans don’t know what they’re saying so cannot answer that question
I have to admit that I am so excited to see this happening. It’s made my day
Kate, what is the name of the book you read about Falcons.
The book is The Peregrine Falcon by Derek Ratcliffe, first published in 1980.
I can hear Hope calling for him since around 6:36 PM EST. She has flown off the nest a couple of times. Can’t tell if he is in the area. She was bowing & e-churping. Hopefully he will come to the nest
Joann, I have seen today from the ground that when Hope begins bowing the male is close by and within view. Sometimes she continues bowing & ee-chupping after he flies away to do a lap around the top of the building. They are a new couple so they are working it out. He is doing all the right things — and those are things that occur off camera for now.
He must be nearby because she is eating & someone is Churping at 7:07 PM pretty loudly!