For almost three months I’ve been watching and writing about the new unbanded male peregrine at the Cathedral of Learning. He hasn’t won the site from Terzo but his presence has thrown the nesting season into a tail spin. I’ve called him “the new guy” but he’s not new anymore. And he’s still here. It’s time he got a name.
Our peregrine naming tradition in Pittsburgh means that I’m the one who names him (details here). It’s a difficult process and I’ve messed up in the past so I’ve been reluctant to go through this. I thought he’d go away, but here he is.
“Here he is” (Eccolo in Italian) inspired his name. His name is Ecco.
Ecco means “here” or “there” in Italian but is often used at the beginning of sentences to get them rolling as in “Well” or “OK” or even “Hey” as in “Hey, that’s what I thought too.” Here are three descriptions of ecco: Word Hippo, Colloquial Italian blog, Italian-English at Cambridge.org
The fact that Ecco is pronounced “echo” is also apt. This bird shows up repeatedly, like an echo, even after we thought he was gone.
So here is Ecco, calling, pondering and watching the sky, plus two videos so you can get to know him.
Ecco in a typical pose, scanning the sky.
Ecco’s first appearance on camera, 28 February 2020.
Ecco visits the nest and calls to Morela, 9 May 2020.
It’s convenient that both males have names now.
I don’t think Ecco is going away anytime soon. Nor will Terzo.
(photos from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)
Tag team fatherhood. One lucky egg!!
Thank you Kate! You did an excellent thing and named him well. I love the name. It will certainly make it easier when we discuss him. A lot of unusual things going on, and we depend on you to always make things known about a lot of different things in nature, so thank you once again.
I love the name Kate and how you derived it. As usual your blog is absolutely fabulous thank you
Love the name Kate, thanks for keeping us updated.
Nature is just so amazing, I hope for a good outcome for all.
Love the name you’ve selected for him, Kate. And totally agree with Margot’s comment.
Ecco is really beautiful, with his snowy white chest and big beautiful eyes. Just hope that he and Terzo are able to sort out dominance with neither one harmed.
Kate, if Morela were to lay another egg how long would it be until another egg is laid?
Peregrines usually last an egg every other day though it’s not exactly 24 hrs between them.
Thanks, Kate. Interesting to say the least. I do love the name, and am glad he has one.
It seems like Morela is off the egg a lot, even in the cold weather. Is this normal?
It’s normal to be off the egg at this stage. Here’s how peregrines handle incubation: https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/peregrine-faqs/question-sitting-on-eggs-or-not/
Well thought out, I think the name is perfect! Good luck to a good season, and many more in the years to come.
Is it just me or does it look like part of the egg is opened on Camera
CP, the egg is mottled, a little more than is normal for peregrine who but ok.
So to be clear the egg is ok?
CP, it is not broken. At night you can see its perfect shape under infrared light.
Great choice of name!
Great name Kate! Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.
Since there is no incubating yet, could this egg not be viable? It’s been several days since it was laid and another should have been by now.
Luann, we’ll know the answer in a while. Incubation does not begin for peregrines until the clutch is nearly complete. This means that 1st eggs may wait about a week for incubation to begin.