12 June 2024

Ever since both Pitt peregrine youngsters fledged on 2 June, their parents have been moving them toward independence. At first they supplied the juveniles with food just as they did at the nest, but within three days Ecco and Carla began showing and teaching them how to hunt. As the juvies gained hunting skills the adults reduced food deliveries to encourage the “kids” to hunt. Yesterday one of the youngsters missed those easy meals and was so loud that he attracted attention from the upper floors of the Cathedral of Learning. “Bring me food!” he whined, “I don’t want to grow up!”

Here are some video examples of this behavior filmed at other peregrine sites. Juvie peregrines all share this behavior.

“Hmmm. Maybe my parents can’t hear me. I’ll beg louder.”

“Maybe my parents can’t see me. I’ll open my wings.” … “Look! It’s me! I’m hungry!”

“I can see my father over there but he’s not looking at me.” … “Hey! I’m over here. Don’t ignore me!”

Juvenile peregrines are very loud and they can look pathetic.

Don’t be fooled, humans. It’s an act.

p.s. Injured peregrines are silent. They don’t cry or call because they don’t want to attract attention to their vulnerability.