2008 FalconCam Highlights
Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh


Thinking of nesting

Dorothy visits the nest in January, starting to think about the coming nesting season.

Preparing the nest

E2 helps dig the nest scrape. (Peregrines don't build nests with sticks. Instead they hollow out a depression in gravel. Both adults help dig the scrape.)

Courtship

Dorothy and E2 court at the scrape. The ritual involves bowing and murmuring to each other.

First egg

Dorothy has laid her first egg of 2008. E2 comes to look at it.

Four eggs

The clutch is complete. Dorothy stands next to her 4 eggs.

Incubation

Dorothy incubates the eggs for 33-35 days - a long sedentary process.

Changing of the Guard

E2 also helps incubate the eggs. When Dorothy returns to resume incubation, she bows low and makes eye contact with him.

The eggs hatch

The first egg has hatched. E2 brought food and Dorothy left to prepare it. While she's away, E2 looks at his first nestling of the year.

First feeding

E2 incubates while Dorothy prepares the food he brought.

Three of the eggs have hatched

E2 has arrived with food while Dorothy is helping the latest nestling dry off. One of the babies opens his beak to beg for food.

1 week old

The 3 nestlings have grown a lot. The 4th egg is not going to hatch.

2 weeks old

E2 feeds the 3 nestlings, now 2 weeks old.

3 weeks old

Dorothy watches the nestlings cavort around the nest box.

4 weeks old

Dorothy feeds her 4-week-old nestlings. They were banded the day before this photo was taken.

The nestlings will fly soon

They are now climbing all over the nest area including the camera. One of the nestlings squawks at his brother.

Almost 5 weeks old

All three nestlings face forward because they see one of their parents will soon arrive with food.

Just over 5 weeks old

The first chick to fledge moved from the nest to the ledge and flew on this date. Here, Dorothy's daughter exercises her wings in preparation for her first flight.

End of 2008 Slide Show

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