Dorothy and E2’s chick caused lots of drama over the weekend. Sunday night he fell on his back again and couldn’t right himself. Dorothy continued to feed him but some webcam viewers were upset. Humans debated, waited, made phone calls, wept, and argued. Some called for shutting off the cameras. Others for shutting off the chat.
Then 24 hours later Dorothy solved the problem and dragged him upright again. Here’s the video as seen on WildEarth.tv
It is not normal for a chick to be on his back and unable to get up, but he’s eating well, looks healthy, and is certainly growing. The chick is not in any danger, he’s just clumsy.
Chances are he’ll fall over again but now we know not to panic. Dorothy will handle it when she decides it’s time to do so.
Later this week, he’ll receive a complete health examination on Banding Day.
(photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera. Video captured from Wildearth.tv from the National Aviary falconcam at University of Pittsburgh)
p.s. Because the chick now walks out of camera range the snapshot camera has been moved back so we can see him.
Wow, that was great! Thanks for the video Kate.
The chick certainly has a good appetite. Even on its back, it stopped struggling long enough to eat when Dorothy offered it food. I wonder how other chicks born to 16 year old peregrines have fared.
Wow thanks for posting the video of Dorothy turning the chick back over. Not sure what the chicks fate is, but Dorothy’s care and devotion is an inspiration. As I explained this development to my 9 year old daughter I said that we don’t know if the chick will make it, that’s nature its sad sometimes and it happens, but no one can say that Dorothy didn’t give the little guy every chance for survival. I hope the chick makes it of course but with that sort of clumsiness I know it’s unlikely.
Wow, now I wonder if Dorothy had this trick up her feathers all along, and was just waiting until she was good and ready to flip the chick! 🙂 Or if it was a creative insight. I was so hoping that she would finally come up with a strategy that worked. This is a great relief, even if the chick does not make it in the long run.
Sure is tough to watch. No matter what happens, Dorothy knows best. She has been such a great mom so many times over that she knows what to do, what is normal, and how to handle a chick with some kind of severe problems. I do not know what kind of emotions peregrine falcons have, but I hope her and E2 find comfort in knowing they did the best that they could.
In her last post, Kate mentioned that Dorothy has raised 42 young. Does anyone know if that is all of the chicks that have successfully left the nest, or does that include the ones that have met untimely deaths in the fledgling process or otherwise? Either way, Dorothy is one incredible mom.
Nick, Dorothy has fledged 42 young. We know that 8 died in accidents after fledging. More probably died but we didn’t hear about it. Those 8 are among the 42.
Dorothy also had 2 nestlings that died in the nest. Those are *not* in the count of 42.
I’m not sure if you are will or able to fulfill this request. The National Aviary should be responding, but are not (will not respond to me personally.) I, along with many others are very upset about chat being closed down, and have not been give clear and concrete reasons as to why. Only vague things such as people were “rude” or were “attacking others” and someone “called 911.” Who knows if that is even true. I think chats are really important and think we at least deserve a decent explanation (ALL THE DETAILS) for why it was pulled from us.
As I said, I understand this is not your “thing” or your problem it is the Aviary’s, but I’m throwing it out there in case you would like to tackle it if you know the answers I seek. THANK YOU for all the wonderful work you do for our beautiful Peregrine Falcons!
Cathy Jacobs, Sorry, can’t solve your problem.
This comment I made earlier explains it all.
This was so awesome to watch Dorothy flip the chick over! What an incredible mom – such skills! I hope the best for this chick.
hasn’t anyone seen the cam today?? talk about old news- Kate the chick has been on his back for hours- the aviary has shut their cam down- where are the updates about that? or am i on the wrong site again? the video of Sunday is great but what about now at 5:25 nest time?
why is he being made to struggle as we sit back and watch? this has turned into a nightmare for this falcon chick. i will trust that those in key positions will somehow help this situation- and yes Kate- i do believe he is in danger at this point.
The chick is upright again after having been down for a little while. 5:25pm ish May 26. Seemed to get back up through a combination of its own efforts and mom’s
Chick righted itself again a little before 5:25!
please delete my post Kate. i am so very upset and angered but that will not help the situation right? i apologize-
Cathy, I personally know (because I was on the chat) that at least 2 of the events described occurred. I can’t say about the 911 call, but I wouldn’t doubt someone did it. When I was responding to chatters, most were polite & really wanted to learn about what was happening. Others were only interested in their own agendas. If the chat is not moderated by a real person (not a “Bot”), it should not be in place. Also, people were told by the WildEarth moderator that they could chat on the Hays Eagle chat, but today, again, people were snarky & rude without a moderator present. I will not participate in an un-moderated chat again.
Donna, thank you for the details about the chat.
Kate, an extra special thanks to you for being a guiding light through what we are viewing this year at Pitt.
I have enjoyed your blog, and the unique balance of scientific knowledge and sincere concern and respect you present for the natural world, especially peregrines, for several years. It is unfair for you to be expected to take any “action” other than what you do so eloquently every morning, which is to share your knowledge and experiences with us.
You are an essential, narrating voice in the lives of our local peregrines and many other plant and animal species. Thanks again for continuing to invite us to join in on the journey, through all the ups, downs, and challenges.
Way to go Dorothy! She learned how to deal with the situation. That’s wonderful. However, to me the video reveals something that may be the cause of this chick’s problems (as I suspected earlier). Note how far apart his legs are after he is righted by Dorothy. He is slipping with legs going sideways and has trouble getting his legs underneath him. That’s what makes me think of splay legs. It may explain why he falls over on his back – put out of balance by accident or whatever, his legs are too spread out to catch ground and lift him back in an upright position. Well, that’s my theory – especially since nothing else seems wrong with him. Splay legs can be fixed with early intervention (while the chick is developing). I don’t know if it can fix itself without intervention. Just information – do not wish to stir up the intervention/no intervention debate.
Interesting observation, Nathalie. I have a feeling he has *multiple* issues.
8:20pm on tuesday I dont see the chick at all is everything OK? Maybe against the corner where he cant be seen. I hope he’s upright
connie, he is in the back corner sleeping, upright.
Well said, Carolyn.
Well, I’m just amazed! I always thought that with any animal (or bird, especially such a fierce one) that if there is anything wrong with a “baby” then that pretty much guarantees the mom will kill it (or withhold food so it dies). Dorothy has completely blown that theory out of the water. Heck, I know HUMANS who don’t work this hard….truly inspiring….
BTW, Ms. St. John, did you notice a “tumor” like bump on the chick’s upper back? I’ve noticed this a few times when chick was on it’s back and straining to lift it’s head.
Gindy, I don’t see it. I think you are referring to the bird’s full crop that is so full of food that it kind of flops to the side of his neck when he’s on his back. This is normal & not a tumor.
I don’t think there is anything “wrong” with Chick. No disrespect intended.
May I explain, and please bear with me :
(1) Chick is loosing it’s “fuzz” now, “big” feathers are growing in … its’ instinct is to rub, clean & pick at that fuzz… because it might me itchy or it might hurt or it’s too hot. From what I have seen, Chick only falls over when he/she tries to reach it’s BACK side… to reach the top of the wings.
(2) When Chick attempts to do this in the center of the gravel pit, it’s feet/talons keep twitching… like he/she is looking for something to hold on to… a rock, a crevice … some leverage to counter-balance the weight-shift.
(3) When Chick falls on it’s back in the CENTER of the pit/nest he/she “tries” to get up, kicking & flopping the wings …… BUT there is no traction, no resistance, he/she can’t get any leverage. Chick is “making snow angels” in gravel, down to the bare/smooth/slippery bottom of the box = even less traction.
(4) On Tuesday afternoon/evening Dorothy rolled over one of the “old” eggs under Chick… first under the bum, then under the wing…. and Dorothy kept raking gravel toward Chick, the feet, the wings…. and it worked.
(5) Late Tuesday night Chick fell over, while on the “edge” of the box, where the gravel is deeper… and within ~2 minutes and with Dorothy’s help Chick was back up.
(6) Chick is now “sticking” to the edge… because there she/he can bury it’s feet on/in gravel…
(7) The reason Chick is not walking/flapping now/has sores … because it hurts : Road-rash , Capet-burn, blisters and sores from trying to”getting” back up, flailing for hours… RAW.
In my humble opinion :
There needs to be MORE gravel in the pit/nest … and maybe some “big” rocks/stones on the edge & in the center — more like a “real” mountain — to give Chick and Dorothy and E2 some traction, some leverage.
I think Chick will be fine.
Been watching for last several minutes and baby has got up on his own several times and is grooming its feathers!! Yay