During incubation, you don't get to see much of the eggs, as the parents are on them almost constantly.  A falcon egg is slightly smaller than a chicken egg.

If you have been studying the FalconCam, you may have noticed that SW or Buckeye turn and rearrange the eggs about once every hour.  (Click on the "FalconCam Image Archives", located under each picture on the front page at http://www.falconcam.apk.net/  in order to see pictures of all the day's activities). 

Kim Middleton, of the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, explains this interesting bird behavior:  "Birds rotate their eggs to keep the eggs evenly warm or cooled (depending on weather).  If the clutch is large, then the eggs on the outside are moved into the center of the clutch where the temperature maybe a few degrees higher.  Eggs are also rotated to prevent the developing embryo from prematurely sticking to the inner membrane of the egg.  If the egg stays in one position for too long, then the embryo can stick to the inner membrane. This may cause the embryo to develop or hatch improperly.  

You could dissect a chicken egg to reveal the basic components of the egg.  Most ornithology books will explain the anatomy of the egg.  A store bought egg will do.  The eggs are not fertilized, so may not show all components of the egg.  Break the shell open gently and pour onto a smooth surface.  You will also want to look at the eggshell, so don't destroy it.

If you have a dissecting microscope you could see the pores on the outside of the eggshell.  This is where gas exchange occurs.  Oxygen goes in and carbon dioxide goes out.  

Have fun."

The Peregrine Fund, located at the World Center for Birds of Prey, led the way to save the species peregrine falcon.  Falcon lovers owe our gratitude to this organization for the survival of the peregrine in North America.  Today they continue working to save birds of prey around the world.  Visit them at:  www.peregrinefund.org


To watch the falcons live go to:  http://www.falconcam.apk.net/  Our thanks to EcoCity Cleveland for providing the FalconCams as a public service.  The picture of Buckeye is a still captured from the live FalconCam.  

The close-up of eggs photo is courtesy of Scott Wright and may be used in any non-commercial publication, electronic or print, but please give him photo credit.