Author: Matt Perry

Update for Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Astrid and Ares fed their young an impressive 12 times between 11:00 PM Tuesday and 8:00 AM Wednesday. Anticipating a hot afternoon and the need to fast their nestlings for several hours, A&A worked diligently to provide their young with as much nutrition as possible, as early as possible. This behavior also highlights their significant nocturnal activity. Traditionally, Peregrines were not known for being active between dusk and dawn. However, urban nesting Peregrine Falcons exhibit fascinating nocturnal habits, showcasing their adaptability to city environments. While believed to be primarily diurnal hunters, these raptors have adjusted to the urban landscape’s unique conditions, allowing them to optimize their breeding success. The extended hours of artificial light and the abundance of prey in cities play significant roles in shaping their nighttime behaviors during the breeding season. Although primarily diurnal hunters, these raptors have adjusted to the unique conditions of urban landscapes to optimize their breeding success. The extended hours of artificial light and the abundance of prey in cities are crucial factors in shaping their nighttime behaviors during the breeding period.

Update for Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Overnight Astrid and Ares fed the young multiple times and they continued providing meals right until about 10:40 AM. Their plan was to pack them with as much nutrition as possible so it would be easier for them to fast during the hottest part of the day. During periods of extreme heat, breeding Peregrine Falcons may refrain from feeding their nestlings as a strategic response to prevent overheating and dehydration. Peregrine falcon chicks are highly susceptible to the effects of intense heat due to their limited ability to regulate their body temperature and their high metabolic rates. Feeding, particularly with protein-rich prey, generates additional metabolic heat, which can exacerbate the risk of overheating in young nestlings. By delaying feeding during the hottest parts of the day, adult peregrine falcons help to minimize the thermal stress on their chicks. Instead, they often prioritize shading the nestlings with their wings or positioning themselves to block direct sunlight. This behavior helps to keep the nest cooler and provides a more stable environment for the young birds. Feeding may be concentrated during the cooler morning and evening hours when the risk of overheating is lower, ensuring that the nestlings still receive adequate nutrition without the added stress of high temperatures.

Update for Monday, May 20, 2024

It was hot today, and that meant Astrid & Ares had to provide shade for the nestlings in the box. Sometimes we make light of the adults and their shading techniques and how ridiculous they sometimes appear, but it is a serious business. In hot conditions, raptor chicks face a significant risk of overheating in their nests, which can have dire consequences for their health and survival. Birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and falcons, typically nest in exposed areas like cliffs, tall trees, or open landscapes where they are more vulnerable to direct sunlight and high temperatures. Unlike adult birds, which can regulate their body temperature more effectively by panting or seeking shade, nestlings are less capable of managing extreme heat. Overheating can lead to dehydration, heat stress, and fatalities if the chicks are unable to cool down.

Parents of nesting raptors do their best to mitigate the risks by shading their young with their wings, or by corralling them to shadier parts of the nest. However, during prolonged heatwaves or extreme temperature spikes, these measures may not be sufficient. The limited ability of nestlings to thermoregulate, combined with their reliance on parental care, makes them particularly vulnerable. Overheating can impair their growth, weaken their immune systems, and reduce their chances of fledging successfully. Therefore, it is crucial for the parents to be ever vigilant, to monitor their offspring, and to be ready to do what it takes to protect them from the dangers of extreme heat.

Update for Sunday, May 19, 2024

For our longtime friends and supporters at Grace Episcopal Church, this season the Utica Peregrine Falcon Project is honoring the church by using names inspired by the names of prominent clergy and staff. The eldest chick, a female, is named Caris; the middle chick, possibly a female, is Vol; and the youngest, probably a male, is Richae. In Welsh and Greek, Caris signifies love, grace, and kindness. In Latin, Vol means someone who is strong and healthy. In English, Richae denotes an individual who is responsible, self-sufficient, and dependable.

The chicks got fed several times overnight and the meals kept coming until around 8:30 AM, and then there was a long pause. In fact, no more food came into the nest until Ares brought a Black-billed Cuckoo at 3:20 PM. It was the second cuckoo known to be served that day. Interestingly, Astrid dutifully doled them out, even though they are her among her least favorite prey items. The mid to late afternoon was very warm on Sunday and it got quite hot in the box. Both parents took turns shading the nestlings

Update for Saturday, May 19, 2024

This morning, when the chicks woke up in the nest, we noticed they had begun developing their dark masks overnight. Along with the small fringe of feathers on their tails and wings, these subtle plumage changes mark the beginning of a significant molt into juvenile plumage. Nestling falcons undergo a remarkable transformation as they shed their white downy plumage. This process typically starts around three weeks of age, with the fluffy white down being replaced by sleek, cryptically patterned juvenile plumage. These new feathers, darker and more streamlined, provide better protection for the young birds and are essential for their future flight capabilities.

By the time they reach five to six weeks old, most nestlings have completed this molting process, sporting a full set of juvenile feathers. This marks a critical stage in their development as they prepare to leave the nest and embark on their first flights. The transition from down to feathers not only signifies their growth but also their readiness to begin honing their hunting skills, a key aspect of their survival.

Of course, observing the early stages of their plumage change is a reminder that fledgewatch is not far off. In less than four weeks, volunteers will gather at the nest site in downtown Utica, ready to help Astrid and Ares spot and safeguard their young as they venture into the canyon on untested wings.