SW and Ranger’s eyasses were banded today by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Because peregrine falcons were on the List of Endangered Species for 30 years and because they are still rare, the birds are banded so that they may be tracked and studied in the future. Our thanks to the Ohio Division of Wildlife for their care of the peregrines during the time that the species recovered from near extinction.
A steel “drawbridge” was raised at the edge of the nestbox to keep the eyasses from panicking and falling over the edge of the building. The parents were very worried as a human stepped into the nestbox and stole the kids …..
In the next video, taken just after the eyasses were brought inside the skyscraper, you will see Ohio Department of Wildlife biologist Damon Greer checking for the sex of the eyasses. They are VERY noisy:
Ohio Division of Wildlife biologist Mr. Greer determined that there are two females and one male. Bands were attached to their legs.
This year we have some wonderful video thanks to an eyewitness falcon fan. The first shows the “chicknapping”, with SW and Ranger doing a series of divebombs:
Thanks to falcon fan Bobby for the great videos, to falcon fan Heidi for the picture of the three eyasses, and to Mr. and Mrs. Saladin for the chicknapping picture and the pictures of Arrow falling out of the nestbox. File photo of SW attacking is courtesy of Scott Wright.
Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams. Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams and for the still.
Their names and band numbers are:
Arrow (female) 1.58/H
Dart (female) 2.59/H
Spike (male) 3.15/B
After the eyasses were banded, and just after they were returned to their nestbox, falcon fans worried as Arrow fell out of the nestbox and onto the ledge.
Don’t look down……………
but don’t worry, SW placed herself in front of Arrow so that she wouldn’t fall off…..
and Arrow hopped back into the nestbox, safe and sound.