This week Dorothy made the news when she defied the odds and hatched a nestling on Mother’s Day.
At 16 years old she overcame a host of age-related issues including lower fertility, reproductive complications from being egg bound last spring, and potential rivals for her nest site.
Here success was a popular topic with media coverage at …
- KDKA: Dorothy The Falcon’s First Egg Hatches
- Post-Gazette: Egg hatches for Dorothy, peregrine falcon at Cathedral of Learning
- Tribune-Review: Mother’s Day surprise: Chick hatches to Pittsburgh Peregrine falcon
- WYEP’s Allegheny Front: Dorothy the Peregrine Falcon Becomes a Mother Again
- The Pitt News: Dorothy does it again: Pitt’s peregrine falcon hatches 43rd egg on Mother’s Day
Dorothy is a Rock Star! (…but we knew that)
p.s. Various numbers were listed in the news articles. Here are Dorothy’s statistics: At age 16 she has laid more than 55 eggs of which 44 have hatched and 42 have fledged (flown from the nest). We don’t know the exact count of her eggs because her first nest was hidden. This chick will be counted as her 43rd fledgling when it flies.
(photo from the National Aviary snapshot cam at University of Pittsburgh. Click on the image to watch the webcam)
Rock star, indeed! Dorothy defied the odds and gave us one healthy looking hatchling. A beautiful sight to be sure.
Kate, I am so unbelievably happy for this tender little eyas, and for Dorothy. After last year, I am thrilled she has one more time to show us what a wonderful parent she is.
Nice that Dorothy is getting so much attention. Just wish we could figure out where Louie and Dori went to downtown.
Just checked in on the webcam and saw that one of the 3 remaining eggs had broken. Dorothy (who was absent when I tuned in) came back and started examining and eating the broken egg. I could see some yolk then she pulled out what must’ve been underdeveloped fetal chick and took it away.
Looks like a second hatch has occurred today!
Not a second hatch. I watched as Dorothy cracked the egg open and pulled out the remains of a tiny baby that looked like it died some time ago. It looked like she was trying to stimulate it to get it to respond, like she wanted to be absolutely certain if it was alive or dead. Then she removed the carcass from the nest. So sad. But it’s wonderful to see how big and strong the Mother’s Day baby is.
I’ve found out it wasn’t a 2nd hatch, but an unviable chick. Probably to be expected, given Dorothy’s age. Hope this one miracle chick continues to do well.
You rock Dorothy <3
Do you have an idea of how long Dorothy’s incubation time has been for her remaining two eggs? She seems to be losing care for the remaining eggs.
Debbi, the remaining two eggs will never hatch. They are way past their hatch date. Dorothy isn’t incubating them now. She’s actually sheltering the chick & the eggs just happen to be there as well.
That’s what I assumed, but I thought I’d check. She really is a trooper!
Dorothy’s Chick is Suffering endlessly! I understand the “No Intervention” Policy completely but this is absolutely Outrageous Not to mention Heartbreaking! The least someone could do is take it & end its unwarranted suffering!!
I for one happen to think that whoever is Benefiting Financially from these Cams be Shut Down!!!!!!! Everyone in CHAT is an “Expert” while the Experts sit back watching & laughing @ the rest of us who are so affected by ALL of this!!!!!!!
IT’S SINFUL IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS!
If someone will Not Intervene with a Chicks Suffering then there should NOT be Cams, Period!!!!!!!
I am so upset that I am simply beside myself! The Joy of watching these Cams does NOT outweigh the Sadness of so much Tragedy that they show & I for one would NEVER again Donate to their cause!!!!!!!!
I was personally very active last Season with the Hays Bald Eagle Cam & Raising $ for PIX & I am forever SORRY now!!!!!!!
I also managed a “Go Fund Me”Campaign after “Ozzie” from the SWFL Cam was Injured & taken to CROW! I Believe they (CROW) has made such a small fortune in caring for “Ozzie” that he has become a HOSTAGE of sorts!!!!!!! I’m am SORRY that I also aided in their small fortune!!!!!!!!
If something happens to this Falcon Chick I will NEVER Watch another Cam AGAIN & I will do Everything in my power to see that these Cams are a thing of the past & NO MORE!!!!!!!!
There has been enough Tragedy & Sadness ALL the way around!!!!!!!!!
Lynn, the chick will be given a thorough medical examine on Banding Day (which will be this month). In the meantime, when the activity on the cam upsets you I suggest you close your browser. It is a highly effective way of shutting off the camera — for yourself.
I have been watching Dottie in awe for 3 weeks. I noticed in the past 3 hours, the chick is on its back. She tries to get him up, but he is still on his back. Can somebody do something? Thank you.
Elizabeth,
Some background:
I have been watching Dorothy for 14 years. She was named “Dorothy” for her biggest fan when she was banded in Wisconsin. Her name was not shortened to Dottie.
In the first 11 years of her life Dorothy never had a chick with birth defects. In 2011 one of her 5 (yes five!) chicks died of a birth defect. In 2012 all 3 chicks were fine. In 2013 one of her 2 chicks died at less than 1 week old from an obvious neurological birth defect.
When this chick hatched Dorothy probably saw that it had issues. “On its back” is not normal for a peregrine chick.
Dorothy is now 16 years old — very old for a peregrine and at an age when birth defects are likely in her eggs.
This chick will be given a thorough medical exam on Banding Day (which is this month).
Banding Day will be too Late! I Predict this Chick Dead by Morning!! You People are Heartless, Non Human Beings who will Answer to a Higher Power one day!!!!!!!!
I just saw this site for the first time today. I have seen Dorothy try to get away from the baby and it appears as if her right foot is stuck to the baby somehow-maybe her band. I have seen Dorothy try twice to pull away and she can’t.
Judy, Dorothy is not stuck. She left the nest area and brought back food.
So glad that the authorities have allowed nature to take its course (versus killing the baby chick) because seems like day by day the baby is getting bigger and stronger.
Margaret, the authorities were never going to kill the baby chick. And, yes, it is happy news that he is improving.