Hatch Day in Progress at the Pitt Peregrine Nest

25 April 2026

Carla and Ecco’s first hatchling of 2026 emerged last night at 11:03pm at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest. Hours later Carla stepped away and John English captured our first look at the bright-eyed chick (photo above and below). The chick’s eggshell is discarded in front and he’s propped on the three remaining eggs.

Becca Hansborough at the National Aviary was watching when Carla faced the camera and showed us the emerging chick on Friday night at 11:03pm.

24 April 2026, 11:00pm — video from the National Aviary falconcam

Because peregrines delay incubation until the next-to-last egg is laid, the first three of Carla’s four eggs are expected to hatch within 24 hours, hence “Hatch Day.” The last egg will hatch about two days later because it was laid about two days after incubation began.

Right now, just before 6:00am on Saturday 25 April, Carla is waiting for her first nest exchange with Ecco. That will be our best chance to see the status of the eggs and chick.

Watch the growing Pitt peregrine family on the National Aviary falconcam as Hatch Day continues.

UPDATES throughout the day:

The chick had his first feeding at 6:18am. The remnants of his breakfast are a dark blob in front of Carla’s shoulder.