28 May 2022
Two hours after the Pitt peregrine chicks were banded on 26 May, the young male made his first step off the gravel. Of the three chicks (2 females, 1 male) the male has the most advanced feather development so I’m not surprised he made his big move so soon.
Peregrine chicks are hard wired not to leave the nest until they have flight feathers — a step off the cliff at that stage would mean certain death. But by the time they look mostly brown, their flight feathers are nearly ready and they need space to exercise their wings so they embark on the next step: Ledge walking. The first ledge walk at the Cathedral of Leaning is always on the green perch.
In the slideshow below the brown-ist chick contemplates a jump to the green perch at 12:12pm. When he makes it topside we can see he has red tape on his silver band, so this is the male (thus nicknamed “Red Boy”). He lingered on the perch for more than 45 minutes until his mother brought lunch at 12:59.
In the video below he looks a bit unsteady because it’s the first time he has ever perched. He works on his balance and grip, preens and exercises his wings.
Red Boy is ahead of his sisters and may walk off camera later this weekend. Watch for his progress on the National Aviary falconcam.
Stay tuned for Fledge Watch at Schenley Plaza, an opportunity to see the chicks as they prepare to fly. This weekend I’ll announce dates between June 3-8.
Interesting that “Red boy” is ahead of the others in feather development. I don’t remember noticing this much discrepancy in previous years. Is there a reason?
Here’s the only male & they progress a little faster. He also may have hatched first. There are 14 hours between them from first hatch to last.
Whatever Happened to Hope?
Morela replaced Hope in October 2019. Hope has not been seen since then. https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2019/10/16/new-peregrine-visits-the-nest/
It appears that one of the females has begun her adventure off the nest? Red Boy is on the green perch, and another bird is in the nest box, but I’m not seeing the third. Not sure when she disappeared but I think it’s been since the lunch-time feeding. Hope she’s enjoying herself and will be back soon.
Anyone else watching C/L? Only one female in the box at 3:30
Just to be clear the male is also there but just one of the females
Not sure what happened between this morning and now, but there are only 2 chicks in the nest at the moment. Did one attempt first flight, perhaps?
Is one missing? (As of 4:20 pm, 5/28/22)
It is possible that the 2nd female got bumped into the gully and is exploring under the nest. This happens to one of them about every other year.
Hello Kate , I am watching the pitt falcon nest and there is only the male and one female with a yellow band what has happen to the other female? I hope that she is fine. I really do like this nest. Have a nice day take care and God Bless and have a Happy Memorial Day.
Geraldine, the 2nd female is wandering around under the nest. She fell into the gully. More news tomorrow.