Where have all the falcons gone? Out walking on the building’s ledges. Here is Thriller - “the runt” of the group – earlier this week.
Like any youngsters, the young falcons like to play. Spirit found a wire that was interesting.
Here is Tiger - the most developed of the four - earlier this week.
And here he is 4 days later.
And here is Tiger, 4 days later, playing in some sand.
The juveniles are very active exploring their world and gaining strength. Humans might get nervous thinking about them walking on building ledges that are 13 stories high, but falcons are adapted to high places.
Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams.
Photos are courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Saladin, volunteer peregrine nest monitors.
Nest monitors, Mr. and Mrs. Saladin, just visited the nest and report: “ Tiger was on the move the most, flapping and taxi-ing. If he is the first born (since he seems to be the most developed) he would be 40 days old Saturday, so given the average fledge for N. American males is in the 40-42 day range we may see a fledge soon”. Here Tiger shows off for his sisters.
The chicks will be fledging soon. SaraJean Peters, of the Ohio Division of Wildlife (retired) tells us:
“Like children learning to walk, flight is a series of experiments...some successful, some not.
Chicks typically exercise their wings, flapping in place, hopping and flapping, and running and flapping. If their nest is on a cliff, updrafts can actually catch under the extended wings and lift the birds up into the air and to a higher ledge. There are updrafts in the city as well, although the ledges aren't as numerous.
A chick that flushes from the ledge and takes flight too early may end up on the ground...a risky place in the city as well as at the foot of a cliff. It takes more muscle power to fly UP than out. Muscle development comes with age and exercise. The first flight made by an older chick will probably be more successful than that made by a younger chick. Landings, a very important part of flights, take lots of practice regardless of age!”
