5 April 2021
At the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest Morela and Ecco have been incubating four eggs all night, all day, and in all kinds of weather since 23-24 March. Incubation is boring except for the weather events.
Recurring heavy snow showers moved through in Pittsburgh on April Fools’ Day (1 April). Morela kept dry under the nestbox roof until the wind blew the snow at her.
Here’s her reaction to an intense snow shower. Was she scowling?
Yesterday, 4 April, it was so hot that Morela was able to expose the eggs for five minutes while she panted and sunbathed.
Morela incubates all night. Ecco helps out by arriving every morning before dawn. On 31 March he had a message for her. Was he telling her where he stored her breakfast? Was he saying “No need to hurry back” ? Who knows.
Every day is the same. There’s always a bird on the nest. The pair switches off several times a day.
While you wait for hatch day on the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh, check out this FAQ on When Will The Eggs Hatch?
(photos from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)
Big story about the peregrines in today’s online Trib (and shout-out to you). Headline was a little over-dramatic, I thought.
Just curious. With all the time incubating and keeping the chicks warm post hatching why don’t the falcons and eagles have a hard time using their wings? After all, if we sat around for a month we would have a hard time walking. Also how do the eaglets breathe when the Mother Eagle is sitting on them?
Thanks for all your updates.