29 April 2024

When Carla and Ecco’s third egg hatched on 24 April we expected that all three chicks would thrive but our expectations had to change as we watched the third chick in its first days of life. By yesterday afternoon it was apparent that the third chick had died. He had trouble feeding and never grew. Unfortunately he failed to thrive.

This slideshow from the National Aviary snapshot camera shows key moments that indicate he was not in good condition on 26-28 April. For instance:

• During feedings the third chick faced away or fell down.
• On 26 April he motored far from the group during a feeding.
• By dawn on Sunday 28 April his body was flat and unresponsive. He had probably died overnight.

The remaining two chicks are growing rapidly and doing well. They are nearly too large to brood.

Watch them grow up at the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh.

(photos 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.

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.

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

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

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)

24 April 2024

While we watch the Pitt peregrine family on the National Aviary falconcam at the Cathedral of Learning, there are other nests to watch in person.

Spruce Run Bridge, Ohio River:

After Jeff Cieslak discovered an immature male peregrine in Ben Avon on 5 April he’s returned often to the Spruce Run Bridge to check on the bird’s status. On 22 April Jeff was surprised to find the male had attracted a mate! The pair courted at the bridge, flew around, and posed in hillside trees (photo at top). Here’s Jeff’s series from Earth Day 2024.

Tarentum Bridge, Allegheny River:

Dave Brooke frequently records the Tarentum Bridge peregrine family. On 19 April he saw four chicks. On 23 April their growing wing and tail feathers were quite evident, though only two stood up enough to be seen. These birds will start ledge walking during the week of 6 May. The first will probably fledge on 11 May.

Westinghouse Bridge, Turtle Creek:

Peregrines have nested at the Westinghouse Bridge since at least 2010. Last Sunday, 21 April, Dana Nesiti found the male perched near the bridge. The female was probably busy incubating at the time.

Sewickley Bridge, Ohio River

Jeff Cieslak was disappointed to see the pair at the Sewickley Bridge mating again on 22 April. If their nest had been a success they would still be incubating, not mating. Jeff says this activity follows the typical pattern at Sewickley of repeated nest attempts but no young each year.

This list is not fully updated but will help you decide where to look for peregrines.

(credits are in the captions)

23 April 2024

Yesterday two of Carla and Ecco’s four eggs hatched: one at 11:02am, the second at 15:28 (3:38pm). The evidence each time was the half eggshell that Carla pulled out from under her. She ate most of the shells immediately.

This morning the chicks ate just before sunrise, then slept in a heap (at top) while Carla took out the garbage. This slideshow highlights their first day of life including this morning’s feeding.

Today will be a big day for Chick#3 whose egg has a large pip. He will probably hatch today.

Keep watching the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh.

(all photos from National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

22 April 2024

This morning at 11:02am the first of Carla and Ecco’s four eggs hatched at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest. Our glimpse was fleeting because Carla kept her back to the camera (above). Later in the hour she turned and we got a better view.

This slideshow from the streaming falconcam contains the best snapshots from the 11:00am hour with one chick, one pipped egg, and an empty eggshell. Carla ate the eggshell to regain the calcium she lost in laying the egg. The shell was nearly gone by noon.

You can see Ecco’s very brief visit at 11:42am in these video highlights.

He made another appearance in the 1:00 o’clock hour but I missed it.

Stay tuned to the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh to see the remaining eggs hatch and the chicks grow up.

Happy Earth Day!

UPDATES:

• KDKA news: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/egg-hatches-peregrine-falcon-nest-pitt-cathedral-of-learning/
• Joann connected that it looks like a 2nd egg hatched at 4:10pm.
• WPXI news: https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/cathedral-learning-peregrine-falcon-pair-welcome-first-chick/H6IY7K3RYZEPZLNV6QI5ORQILI/

(all photos and video are from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)