Last Friday the 25th floor roof of the Cathedral of Learning was a hotspot of peregrine fledgling activity. Each of the fledglings visited the roof and their parents stopped by to check on them.
Most of the birds perched and preened but when Green Boy arrived he caused a stir. As usual.
You may remember Green Boy. He’s the Prodigal Son who fell in the gully on May 26 and climbed out on his own. Then he had to be rescued on June 1 from a courtyard near the Office of the Chancellor. We don’t know what he did for the next three days but on Friday he surfaced again.
Around noon he flew to the 25th floor roof and made it his business to explore it on foot. He climbed piles of roof tiles, poked in the corners and spent hours trying to perch on slippery metal pipes.
In the process he got close to a pigeons’ nest. Movement caught his eye. “What’s that?”
From afar the pigeon parents saw him and flew in to block his advance. “Stay away!” they said.
Undaunted, Green Boy stepped forward and both pigeons jumped on him. He rolled on his back and fought with his talons. The pigeons couldn’t hurt him but Green Boy was startled so he ran away. How embarrassing to be chased by what should be your dinner!
Later he tried again. He had to see what was over there. When a pigeon arrived to challenge him, Green Boy stood his ground and shouted, “I’m tellin’ ya, leave me alone!”
Oh, Green Boy, you’ve got a lot to learn!
(photo by Kimberly Thomas)
Too funny!!!
You’ve captured Green Boy’s spirit perfectly. He’s fearless (mostly) and will no doubt grow up to be a fine hunter and provider. It has been a season of wonder, following the development of these peregrine youngsters. I have learned, and laughed, and felt pride in their accomplishments. Thanks again, Kate, for sharing it with us.
Love it. A close up of my meal alive. WOW!!!! Licking my chops
This picture is so amazing, considering that the pigeon is normally a peregrine’s dinner! That pigeon was so brave!
How was the picture taken? Did Kimberly lean out of a window?
That is hilarious about the pigeons jumping on a peregrine! 🙂
The whole story is so interesting too! Green boy is quite the adventurer!
Kim works two floors above & can see the roof easily without leaning out. Good thing she didn’t try to lean out. Even though everyone was indoors, Dorothy & E2 saw people looknig at their “kids” and threatened them from the air.
There is also an adorable story on the New York Times site today about two peregrine falcon chicks who have been relocated from Queens to a safer location atop the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Brooklyn. The photos of the chicks are a hoot! You can see them at http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/falcon-chicks-and-errant-clicks/?hp
p.s. Green Boy is a nickname I gave him because he has green tape on his USFW band. He doesn’t really have a name. 😉
So, the pigeons’ nest is also on the COL? I’m surprised that the pigeons would have built a nest so close to the home of their predators!
maybe one day soon, E2+Dorothy and the gang will visit them and say “hi neighboors.. we came to say hello…” 🙂 But it’s indeed amazing to see so many pigeons when you stand underneath the col. I guess they play the number game (so much pigeons to eat..)
The chicks from Queens are adorable! Does anyone know what happened to their parents??
And do each of the chicks have color-coded tape on their bands? Is that how we know that Green Boy was the chick involved in all the adventures??
Yes, the chicks banded in Pennsylvania get colored tape on their USFW bands to help fledge watchers ID them from afar. And yes, Green Boy has green tape. In his case he was also ID’d by his Black/Green band.
I love the gutsy adventures of the juvies! Also, I think Green Boy is a great “nickname”.
Typical adolescent male.
All confidence, no coordination 🙂
Akela-PA
I always say children come into the world with their own personalities. From the adventures of Green Boy, I believe this to be true with baby falcons as well. I’m so glad we know he is back and spunky….he really has had more than his share of adventures. Thx so much Kate for all the info you have shared with us.
I’ve added some pics from Sunday evening to my flickr account. Some more to come, I need to get them off of my other card first.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_valasek/4680278217/in/photostream/
Nice pictures, Steve-o