In late June, after five young peregrines fledged from Pittsburgh’s Third Avenue nest, their father Louie was found dead at age 17. He was exceptionally old for a wild peregrine but longevity was in his genes.
Louie hatched in 2002, the son of Dorothy and Erie during their first successful year at the Cathedral of Learning. Dorothy fledged 43 young at Pitt before she disappeared at age 16.5.
Dorothy was the daughter of Sibella and Bill who were both part of The Peregrine Fund‘s Midwest Peregrine Recovery Program. Sibella nested at the First Wisconsin Building in Milwaukee through her 15th year. With a long-lived mother and grandmother it’s no wonder Louie made it to 17.
Louie started breeding early. In 2003 he was one year old when he won Pittsburgh’s Downtown territory. It was a tumultuous spring with two females and two males vying for the Gulf Tower nest. In the end Louie fought and killed Boris at the nestbox and became Tasha’s mate.
From 2003-2009 Louie fledged 24 young with Tasha. In her last breeding year he was especially protective of her on Banding Day.
The next year, 2010, was Louie’s chance to shine. In late March Dori defeated Tasha and became a first-time parent. Louie showed her the ropes as described in the links below:
- Tasha laid 2 eggs before Dori defeated her on 20 March 2010.
- Louie courted Dori at the nest (video) …
- … and kept his 2 eggs viable while Dori got in synch to lay 3 of her own.
- Once incubation began Louie lured Dori off the nest at night so that he could incubate: April 7 and April 8.
- In May, all five eggs hatched!
Louie was versatile. In their years together he and Dori moved their nest from year to year using three sites to fledge 39 young.
In 2012 they chose a cubbyhole on 3rd Avenue where they’ve nested 5 times. In 2015 they nested at Macy’s Annex. In 2014 and 2017 they returned to the Gulf Tower.
2018 ended sadly at Third Avenue when the Keystone Flats development was granted a Special Takings Permit and had their chicks removed. This year they were back at Third Avenue to raise and fledge five young. Louie was a good dad to the end.
All told Louie fathered 63 young peregrines. Like his mother Dorothy, Louie was the head of a dynasty.
(photos by Brian Cohen, Ann Hohn, Lori Maggio, Maria Ochoa, Matt Orres and the National Aviary falconcam at Gulf Tower)
A wonderful tribute to an amazing Peregrine! What a legacy Louie leaves!
Wow! Thank you. That was a very informative post. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you, Kate, for Louie’s tribute. He was special, just like his mother. I miss them both….
Such a good dad over the years. Long live the dynasty!
Beautiful tribute Kate! Thanks for putting this together.
Thank you for the lovely tribute to Louie who was a dedicated father and protector to the end of his life! Thanks to all who offer support to the Peregrines as they raise their young and increase their numbers. We are blessed to have all of you!!! Louie will soar forever through all of his offspring. Thanks again!
Thank you for the tribute. Still makes me sad. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share in their lives.
Thank you for the outstanding tribute. And the photos are amazing.
Louie is up there presiding over all his family in Peregrine heaven! Thanks, Kate.
Louie, a legend has left us but will be forever in my hall of Fame.
I will never forget 2010 when he took such good care of the two eggs of Tasha after Dori took over and the excitement when all five hatched.
Fly free Louie , your legacy will live long. Your sister Beauty is my falcon mother and a legacy in her own right. Dorothy was a wonderful mum to you.
Lovely tribute Kate. Thank you for taking the time to put it all together, I really like the links to the past posts of the stories as they were happening. I pride myself on trying to be drama-free in my life but I must confess, I’m all about the peregrine drama! And there’s often a lot. He leaves a great legacy. What a strong, beautiful soul he is!
Thanks for this tribute to Louie! He was a great Dad! Glad he lived such a long life.
Kate, that was a wonderful, fitting tribute to an incredible Peregrine, Louie. He truly was magnificent. I LOVED the picture of him looking in on banding day.
He will be missed by all of us.
Thank for the this beautiful tribute, Kate. The photos and commentary capture what a special peregrine he was.
Hi Kate. This makes me sad. There’s been a falcon out on the ledge since Monday (on and off). Makes sense now.
Anybody know how he passed?
Jason, we don’t know, but I can tell you that Louie was at the virtual age of 80-90 years old. At that point any little thing would be enough to tip the scale.
Fair skies and following winds, Louie. Thank you for gracing us mere humans with your majestic presence.
Great post Kate! Thank you!