Terzo ruled at the Cathedral of Learning all day yesterday, 4 March 2020. He bowed with Morela on camera several times. The unbanded male peregrine never appeared.
6:56-7:00a: Just after dawn, Terzo called to Morela to bow at the nest. (Her face is at bottom right.)
2:05-2:11p: Terzo visited again, calling to Morela. Here’s a closeup showing his bands. The pair is bowing in the photo at top.
2:11-2:40p: When Terzo left the nest he didn’t leave the building. I arrived at Schenley Plaza around 2:30p and saw him perched on a gargoyle on 32 South while Morela was perched at the nest. At 2:40p Terzo flew away to make his “great circle” route(*), soaring and patrolling the edge of his domain.
At 2:43p Morela saw a red-tailed hawk flying over Phipps Conservatory from her perch at the front of the nest. She flew fast, wings pumping, and attacked the hawk. The red-tail had to flip upside down to defend itself. Morela chased him away.
5:39-5:44p: At dusk Terzo called to Morela; they bowed at the end of the day.
It’s too soon to tell if the contest is over between Terzo and the unbanded male peregrine but yesterday was a positive sign.
Watch the National Aviary falconcam at Univ. of Pittsburgh for the latest news.
(*) NOTE: The “great circle” is a patrolling trip that peregrines make from the Cathedral of Learning. The peregrine departs in one direction, soaring slowly, and starts to make a circle some distance away. The bird is soon out of sight. If we watch long enough, we see the peregrine return from another direction. We assume he’s made a circle.
(All photos are from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ. of Pittsburgh.)
I hope you are right about the contest being over with Terzo as the winner. He is a proven provider and has taken great care of his nest and family in previous years. I also hope the peregrines have a successful nest at the Cathedral this year. Thanks for all your insight into their habits and behavior.
Is it possible to guess anything about Unbanded from his photos?
Stacey, no we really can’t guess anything about his origin. So few peregrines are photographed — especially those that aren’t banded — that there are no photos to compare.
Morela has a “Dorothy” like approach to chasing away hawks and crows!
Poor hawk! Morela should put up signs letting other birds know where her territory ends.
I fear she’s going to end up getting sued by the hawks for harassment.
I have to say I’m rooting for Terzo — after putting up with his odd mate and losing about half the chance to pass on his handsome genes, I’d love to see him get a chance to raise a normal family.
But maybe New Boy can check out Downtown and vie for the hand (er, wing) of the Merry Widow Dori?