On May 13th 2008, we went to Washington University Medical School, in St. Louis, MO, to band four peregrine chicks. There were three males and one female. We put on an ID band and a US Fish and Wildlife service band. After we were done, we put them back with their parents. They looked great. Banding helps keep track of bird movements and mortality.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Peregrine Falcon chicks are the cutest of all the falcons in my opinion. They look like little snowballs!
I have a few questions:
1.) How do you know that the band wont get too tight as they grow older? Isnt that same band on them for life?
2.) They arent imprinted when you hold them and band them?
3.) Where is the mommy falcon? Doesnt she miss her babies? Will she still feed them once you touch them?
Gosh they are so cute, i have been watching the peregrine falcon babies from Pittsburgh through the National Aviary website. It is such a joy to watch them grow and get cuter by the day!!
Thanks for showing us this footage!!!
I wonder if the chicks and their parents tell the other falcons that they were abducted by aliens with HUGE heads. Maybe the aliens are putting tracking chips in us for their research......just a thought.
Good questions!
The band doesn't get too tight and it is on them for life.
Raptors don't imprint unless they have been taken from the nest and raised by humans without the presence of adult birds.
Mom is around as is dad (likely looking for food for the family), but no, she won't stop feeding them. We are in and out of there quickly and cause little disturbance.
I love that Pittsburgh site as well! And the Kodak cam in Rochester is fantastic. Isn't spring fabulous!
Owlman,
Huge heads and weird talons and no beak or feathers! We are some seriously ugly aliens.
Interesting theory. I wonder where the falcon equivalent of Area 51 would be.
Post a Comment