Today, 11 May 2018, is banding day for the peregrine falcon chicks at the Cathedral of Learning. The event is closed to the public (the room has a strict occupancy limit!) but you’ll see some of the action on camera.
The first hint will be the sound of “kakking” as Hope and Terzo react when Pennsylvania Game Commission‘s Dan BrauningĀ goes out on the ledge to retrieve the chicks.
The chicks will receive health checks and leg bands and be returned to the nest in less than half an hour.
Stay tuned for an update on who’s who.
(photo from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ .of Pittsburgh)
What time is it happening?
They are done and home safe. Thanks for the heads up Kate. Cam went down for me when they were taken, but got to see them returned – Hope was there giving them a piece of her mind and then some.. God bless those brave people that care so well for them.
Kate, that was AMAZING! I couldn’t believe how Hope was defending them so well. Thank you so much for giving us a heads up.
Girls? Boys? One each?
Just saw. Two girls!
I’m on the west coast, by the time I saw the blog post, it was already over. š
Seems like all of Hopes chicks that have survived to banding have been female. I don’t remember if all 3 of last years chicks were female too, but can Hope tell the gender of her chicks when they hatch? Perhaps she is selectively killing and eating male chicks.
J, last year 1 male and 2 females fledged from Pitt … Hope is not eliminating the males.
Glad they are healthy and safe