Late yesterday I received this summary of the Pitt nestling’s blood test results from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Some of you have expressed an interest in this information so I am posting it here.
“When examined on banding day, the nestling was found to be significantly infested with blood-sucking ectoparasites and was given appropriate treatment.
Blood tests conducted by Dr. Wagner revealed that the nestling was anemic, probably due to the ectoparasites, but the complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry results were within normal limits. The only abnormality was a low packed cell volume indicating anemia.
Tests for West Nile Virus, Avian Influenza Virus and internal parasites were negative.”
The blood sample was taken on Banding Day, 29 May 2015, at the Cathedral of Learning when the peregrine chick was 19 days old.
(photo from the National Aviary falconcam at University of Pittsburgh)
Thank you, Kate, for you continual updates and interesting blog topics. I am learning a great deal here on this site.
In your opinion, where do you feel Fuzzy/Silver is in his/her development?
Kind Regards,
GT
G Thomas, the answer is discussed at length here: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2015/06/20/when-will-the-pitt-nestling-fly/
Great info — there should be nothing standing in Silver’s way for being successful.
After the 2014 year, I didn’t think I Would see Dorothy with another little one ! I followed her everyday with tears and prayers !!! It was amazing to watch her sit on the egg and get up and look a long time at it , like she knew there was something wrong !! I was so happy this year when one hatched ! Again with tears and prayers I was happy to see our Fuzzy/ Silver make it . Dorothy, you are a wonderful Mom and you did your job very well !!!! Time for you to just fly around the City and enjoy the rest of your days knowing how many people you made HAPPY !!!
Hi Kate! Wouldn’t the Game Commission have done a DNA test to determine sex? We used to have it done all the time when we raised parrots. Not expensive, and only a drop or two of blood is needed. Just wonderin’ 🙂
Barbara W, no they did not
Thank you Kate! I really appreciate you keeping us updated. So being anemic probably went away once the parasites were killed? Did they happen to tell you if Silver is a girl or boy? Sure would love to know. Thanks again!!!
Happy Bald Eagle Day everyone!
Mare, no they did not.
Thanks for the update Kate! This chick has been a joy to watch! And love the devotion of the parents!
Thank you very much, Kate.
I’m really sorry to bother you again but I had just noticed Barbara’s question & answer. So, did they not test if Silver is a boy or girl? Or, did they just not tell you the results of that yet? Because for some reason, I thought back when they did the check up and took the tests, they said they would test for the gender.
Mare, they did not test for sex.
Awesome bird, glad to see he or she is flourishing, way to go Dorothy! <3
Awesome, so glad to see baby made it & is flourishing! Way to go Dorothy <3
Thank you for the update and all that you do to keep us informed. It is an incredible experience to watch this little one grow.
I think what has impressed me most with this little one, has been Dorothy and E2’s ability to know not to give up on it. I don’t think that I am the only one who has heard in the past that creatures, whatever they be, abandon off spring that have something wrong. Yes, this little one had something wrong, but D and E nurtured it, even to the point of flipping it back over to its front. They seemed to instinctively know that the problem was “fixable”. Whether that be true or not, I don’t know, but they are certainly incredible parents.
And Kate…yes and yes….thank you for all of your posts, so full of information. I hope you know how many of us look forward to your blog, whether it be “falcon season” or not. You are a treasured gem in my jewelry box of information. Thank you again.
Thanks, Kate, for all the great info and explanations! Hoping our little one flies high!
Thanks Kate ! That’s great news, I continue to watch this chick every day and really appreciate your updates. I am so glad I have continued to watch after the rocky start. Love the pic of Silver with his/her wings spread so proudly. You have opened up a whole new and interesting hobby for me.
Kate, FYI, I contacted Dr. Wagner and requested he run a blood test to determine the eyas’s sex if enough of the original blood draw sample was retained. So, we may hear something about this in the near future.
Thanks, Bob.
(Bob Mulvihill is the Ornithologist at the National Aviary)
Thanks, Kate, for sharing the info. Also hoping that we get a definitive answer on Silver’s gender. Lots of speculation that we have a Silver Girl at the Cathedral. It will be interesting to see if that speculation is correct.
6/23/2015, I have not seen the baby all day, do we know where he is
denise, all the news is in the comments. For instance: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2015/06/23/another-piece-of-the-puzzle/#comment-160013
Hello Kate
any News on Fuzzy’s visit with the vet?
6/30/2015, 7:30pm: I have no additional news about the Pitt peregrine fledgling. When I have news I will post it.