19 April 2026

If my guess is right Carla and Ecco’s eggs will begin to hatch next weekend. While we’re waiting for that event let’s take a look at last year’s nesting season displayed in:

• A slideshow of 2025’s successful nest,
• A recap of highlights, and
• Two videos from the National Aviary falconcam.

Slideshow of the 2025 nesting season at the Cathedral of Learning. Photos by National Aviary falconcams, Jeff Cieslak, Kim Getz, Mike Faix @National Aviary and Kate St. John.

Pitt Peregrine Highlights, 2025

• Ecco and Carla’s courtship began in January and continued through March.
• Carla laid 5 eggs:
  • First egg: 3/16/2025, 13:17
  • Second egg: 3/18/2025, 15:12 = 2.08 days later
  • Third egg: 3/21/2025, 04:07 = 2.5 days later … began incubation
  • Fourth egg: 3/25/2022, 04:35 = 4.1 days later
• Hatch Day: 2 of 4 eggs hatched on 24 April. The 3rd hatched on 27 April. The 4th never hatched.
• The three chicks were banded on 20 May by Patti Barber of the PA Game Commission. Carla fiercely defended her young.
• The chicks were dark brown and fully feathered by 31 May …
• … and old enough to fight over food on 3 June (see video below).
• The first one fledged on 4 June. Second and third fledged on 5 June.
• On 20 June both female chicks (Yellow and Blue) barged in on their parents while they were bowing at the nest. (See video below)
• By the end of June all the youngsters had left campus.
• The rest of the year was quiet. Ecco and Carla always molt in July and August. They remain at Pitt year-round.

3 June 2025: Two Pitt Peregrine Chicks tussle over food. Mine! Mine! Mine!

20 June 2025: Teenage Pitt Peregrines barge in on their parents who say, “No, we’re not going to feed you. We’re outta here.”

Watch for Hatch Day coming next weekend on the National Aviary Falconcam at the University of Pittsburgh.