2003May29webcam

FALCON FLASH
Dateline: Cleveland, Ohio
April 15, 2004

Scott Wright, volunteer peregrine falcon nest monitor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife for 13 years, shares some tips about what to look for now that the eggs are about to hatch:

"The simple one is a cracked egg, but as spring can be very cool this time of year, you want to watch the parent on the eggs. Look for an eggshell, but do it quick as the female will often eat the eggshell, and move the shell about, often picking it up with her beak.

Looking at the parent behavior, when one or more of the young inside the eggs begin to chirp, the parents will seem to be listening to the eggs. Another behavior I have seen is that the parents start to sit higher with backs showing a more or higher arch.

SW and Buckeye listen to the eggs

Yes, eggs can hatch out during the night. The process can take some time if not aided by the parents; the hairline cracks will indicate that a hatch is under way. And if it is cold and raining, you might have to wait to see the fluff ball when the first feeding happens.

Whoever is on the eggs will call out to the other parent and announce the hatching. Normally, the female is on the young when they hatch. She calls in the male as if to say, "Get some food honey!"

I always get nervous at hatch. Will they all hatch? Will they all have two eyes, two legs, two wings, will they all show a begging response and so on? Time will tell.....

We had one chick die in the nest 9 (?) years ago when it was less that a week old, and the female left scars on my arm when I helped ODW remove it. So, be ready for anything....."

Hatching words to know: egg tooth, pip

The chicks will be hatching soon, so keep your eyes and browser set on: http://www.falconcam.apk.net/

Our thanks to EcoCity Cleveland for providing the FalconCams as a public service. The file photo is a still captured from the FalconCam.