Courtship Intensifies, New Male at Pitt

A new male peregrine and Morela bow at the nest, 28 Feb 2020 (screenshot from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

1 March 2020:

BREAKING NEWS! The male peregrine in this video is unbanded. That means he is not Terzo! Stay tuned for more news tomorrow. Meanwhile, a big thank you goes to “Small Town James” who pointed this out in the YouTube video described below.

Courtship between Morela and a male peregrine (not Terzo!) is intensifying as egg laying approaches this month.

On Friday 28 February 2020 the peregrines bowed, swayed, and “ee-chupped” at the Cathedral of Learning nest for seven minutes. Sometimes they nearly touched beaks.

This seven minute video is long but it shows their entire “ledge display.” Notice how the male steps and sways side to side while Morela bows very low. This pair is bonding closely.

We’re all looking forward to eggs in mid March. Meanwhile we’ll be watching to learn more about the new male peregrine at Pitt.

Watch the peregrines court on the National Aviary falconcam at the Cathedral of Learning.

(photo and video from the National Aviary falconcam at the Univ. of Pittsburgh)

p.s. the new male was later named Ecco.

14 thoughts on “Courtship Intensifies, New Male at Pitt

  1. Oh my, what a development. Whoever ends up at the Cathedral, I hope the pair produced many offspring. Praying that Terzo is OK though. When was he last seen?

    Thanks for the update, Kate.

  2. I think from the FAQ that Terzo was about 7 years old? Is it known whether age, other than especially old or young, matters in terms of getting displaced by a rival? I’m projecting onto Terzo that it’s a little sad that he didn’t have a chance to raise young at Pitt with a (hopefully) less dramatic female than Hope. Separately, do we know who’s with Dori downtown?

  3. Dear Kate, What happen to Terzo? Would he give up his territory to another Falcon? I hope he is ok. Maybe he found Hope and has decided to find another place? I can hardly wait to see what will happen and to see when Morela lays her eggs. Have a nice day.

  4. There is never a dull moment in watching Cathedral of Learning peregrines. Wow, this is better than a soap opera. Stay tuned.

  5. Update: Terzo is okay. He was seen briefly at Monday, March 02, 2020, at 7:34 am, for 2 minutes in the nest box. (Terzo’s leg bands were visible).

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