28 February 2021
One of the rituals of peregrine courtship is that the male must bring food to the female to show he can provide for her and their family. As egg laying time approaches the female stops hunting for herself; her mate provides all her food. She won’t resume hunting until the nestlings are old enough to leave for a while.
Courtship is well underway at the Cathedral of Learning nest. On Friday morning, 26 February, Ecco brought prey to the ledge (the green perch) and waited for Morela. He ate some while he waited, then called to Morela when he saw her overhead. Eventually she came in to take his offering.
In the video below, watch the strip of sunlight on the back wall of the nest and you’ll see Morela’s shadow as she lands above him.
Courtship will intensify in March with the possibility of eggs by month’s end. Watch the Cathedral of Learning peregrines on the National Aviary falconcam at the University of Pittsburgh.
Want to learn more about peregrine behavior? Read about peregrine Courtship feeding here and lots more at my Peregrine FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
(photos and video from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)
Looks like Ecco is the one.
Yesterday I saw that a few red winged blackbirds had already returned to the Homewood Cemetery pond. They were making their creaking noises and displaying their red epaulets. Also there many starlings and robins.
“Dang Morela! Don’t you want to share even a little bit!” Great video and excellent information. Thanks Kate. It is a new season indeed.
Kathleen, I shortened the video … Ecco ate half of it before she got there 😉