If you grow a crop that tastes good to birds how do you protect it? Hire a falcon!
Last month CBS News featured a video about an innovative way to chase starlings out of a vineyard. The falcon in the video was specifically raised as a falconry bird. It’s a hybrid gyrfalcon-peregrine.
Click here or on the screenshot above to see “How falcons protect vineyards” on CBS News.
Note: There are 15 seconds of promotional video ahead of the falcon piece.
(screenshot from CBS News. Click on the image to watch the video)
Wow… how cool. I live in Sacramento with numerous wine producing regions within an hour of me and I am just now learning this?! Amazing! Again, Kate, you have educated and impressed me with your post. Thank you!
Fascinating. I love the shot of the dog and the falcon together. If you ever think your fellow employees DO NOT understand you, what do you think these two species think of each other?
I have forgot or never knew. When Peregrine chicks get banded, can they tell the sex. I only ask because I remember it was such a uncertainty as to what sex Dorothys’ final chick was.
Karen, the banders can tell the sex of the peregrine chicks by weight. Because Dorothy’s last chick was under developed for his age, they could not determine his sex at banding.
Hi, I’ve been wondering about the Pittsburgh falcons. Is there a complete history of the falcons? I remember the very beginning, when falcons were seen hunting over downtown and plans were being made to build a nesting site at the Gulf Tower. Then there’s a big gap. I remember Dorothy, but not her disappearance. What’s the story about her last chick? Was that Fuzzy/Silver? I thought her last nesting attempt was unsuccessful, with one egg that did not hatch. Is there a more complete history? I’d like to know more of the details.
Margaret, yes there’s a complete history of Pittsburgh area peregrines at this link located on the Peregrine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
I create a slideshow history every year for the Pitt and Downtown (Gulf) nests if enough photos are available. Those slideshows, including a tribute to Dorothy, are here.
Though time consuming you can read all the details by reading each blog in the Peregrines category here.