Three Chicks at Pitt Peregrine Nest

Carla, Chick #3 (pink) and its eggshell, 24 April 2024, 7:41pm (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

25 April 2024

The third chick at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest hatched last evening around 7:40pm. All day long he hammered on his shell, expanding the pip to a crack surrounding the egg. Just before nightfall he opened the shell and rested face down. Hatching is exhausting work!

You can see the open eggshell and the wet, pink chick in snapshots above and below.

Carla, Chick #3 (pink) and its eggshell, 24 April 2024, 7:42pm (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

After the third chick emerged it was time for the last feeding before dark. When Carla left to get the food we could see all three chicks (two white, one pink) as well as the remaining unhatched egg behind the open shell.

3 chicks and one egg before the evening meal, 24 April 2024, 7:47pm (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Ecco stepped in to keep the chicks warm while Carla prepared the food.

Ecco arrives to keep them warm while Carla prepares the meal, 24 April 2024, 7:50pm

Ecco left as Carla returned with their sixth feeding of the day.

Carla arrives to feed the chicks, Ecco leaves, 24 April 2024, 7:52pm (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Last night the third chick was too new and exhausted to eat yet but he’ll be feeding today. Watch three chicks grow up at the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh.

UPDATE, 28 April 2024, 3:30pm: Sad to say, the 3rd chick has died. He had trouble feeding and never got any larger. Both are signs of a failure to thrive.

(photos from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

14 thoughts on “Three Chicks at Pitt Peregrine Nest

    1. Angela, I believe the 4th egg will never hatch because it has never shown a pip or crack. It is probably not viable.

  1. I fear that the third hatchling is no longer alive. It hasn’t moved for at least 15 minutes, and food has just arrived, and still no movement. If not appropriate to post this, that’s fine. Just wanted to share in case you aren’t watching at the moment.

  2. I think the 3rd chick has died. It is laying in the nest and hasn’t moved in the past 20 minutes or more. It’s been having problems feeding during the past couple of days, facing in the wrong direction and falling over a lot.

  3. I’m not sure but the 3rd chick hasn’t moved in several hours. I fear he is deceased maybe? Much smaller then the other 2.

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