FALCON FLASH
Dateline: Cleveland, Ohio
June 12, 2012
Click here to read what happened earlier
This draws the 2012 Raptors in the City program to a close. Be sure to join us early next year when the cycle of life begins again. Will the aging SW be able to keep control of her nestsite? What new dramas will unfold?
Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams. Learn more about the museum at: http://www.cmnh.org/
Our special thanks to Scott Wright, volunteer peregrine nest monitor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, for his many years of care and concern for the survival of the species at this nest site. Thanks to Mr. Wright for the pictures today of Uno at the nest, taking off, and of SW on the flagpole – and for the generous use of his fabulous photos throughout the years.
Thanks also to volunteer peregrine nest monitors Mr. and Mrs. Saladin for their descriptions and file photos of juvenile flying behaviors.
Pictures may be used by children for school and/or personal projects, but please photo credit.
In addition, our thanks to all people who have contributed to saving the species peregrine falcon in North America. With the help of people from all walks of life, the species is returning to health after nearly becoming extinct in North America.
Uno is now flying successfully and, in fact, soars high in the sky.
She will stay close to the nestsite for the next month or two, and SW and Boomer will watch over her, feed her, and help her learn hunting and flying skills. She will practice take-offs…….
and landings......
soaring and gliding……
And how to do the fastest maneuver of all, the straight-down dive called the stoop.
Uno is practicing juvenile peregrine behavior which includes chasing her parents in the air as she both seeks food and practices aerial skills. In the following picture, SW perches on a flagpole as Uno stays nearby on the 15th floor.
Nest monitors, Mr. and Mrs. Saladin describe juvenile flying behavior: “They grab at leaves, and snap twigs off of dead trees. They often snatch butterflies, dragonflies, and insects as their initial prey items and eat "on the wing”…...
The juvies become progressively more aggressive toward the adults, and the adults, in turn perch in less conspicuous places and often try to hide from the juvies. The juvies chase adults even after they have recently eaten and mantle their prey from adults and siblings to keep it from being taken. As juvies get more advanced the parent will drop prey for them to catch and will even bring in live, wounded prey, so that the juvies can practice chasing and catching. They also go on "family hunting forays" where the adults and juvies cooperativly hunt”.
Soon Uno will begin her own life and fly to parts unknown. Since she wears bands, we may find out what happens to her. Where will she go and how will her life turn out?
