|
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were peregrine falcons endangered?
During the mid-1900s a chemical pesticide called DDT was widely
used to prevent insect damage to crops. DDT worked its way up the
food chain when poisoned insects were eaten by smaller birds that
were then eaten by larger birds including peregrine falcons. The
DDT built up in the fat tissues of the falcons. This caused the
falcon eggshells to be so thin that they would break when the adults
would try to incubate them. This resulted in few new falcons being
added to the population. Consequently, the population disappeared
east of the Mississippi by 1965. Success of the Eastern Peregrine
Recovery Plan in recent years has helped restore populations of
the peregrine falcon.
Are peregrine falcons found only in the United States?
No, peregrine falcons are found on all continents except Antarctica.
There are 17 subspecies, but only 3 are found in North America.
How fast do peregrine falcons fly?
In level flight, peregrines can fly about 60 mph. However, they
are best known for their dives at prey (also called a stoop) during
which they have been clocked at more than 200 mph!
What does a peregrine falcon look like?
The adult peregrine is a crow-sized bird with a 36 to 44 inch wingspan.
It has a dark head with a wide dark mustache mark, white throat,
blue-gray back and pale breast cross-barred with dark brown. Young
birds have darker, brownish plumage. Their breast is marked with
vertical brown streaking. The females are larger than the males.
How long do peregrine falcons live?
Peregrines may live to be 12 to 15 years old. However, the mortality
rate for young falcons is about 60%. This means that approximately
6 out of every 10 falcons hatched will die in its first year of
life.
Why do peregrine falcons nest on buildings?
Peregrines typically nest on ledges of rock cliffs. However, falcons
have been able to adapt to use tall buildings. If you think about
it, a city skyscraper is tall and constructed of concrete or stone,
just like a rock cliff. Window boxes and other niches on buildings
provide a place for a female to lay eggs. Man-made nest boxes and
trays lined with pea gravel are also used by falcons.
What kind of nest do peregrine falcons make?
Peregrine falcons do not bring nesting material to an area to build
a nest. Instead, they make what is called a scrape or shallow depression
in existing gravel or other debris by lying down and pushing back
with a foot.
Why doesn't Amelia sit on her eggs all of the time?
Falcons typically begin incubation after the second or third egg.
Before incubation begins the falcons may be observed standing in
or near the nest guarding the eggs. Once incubation begins, one
of the adult falcons is usually sitting on the nest, however during
warm weather or food exchanges between the male and female, the
eggs may be left unattended for short periods.
Will all of the eggs hatch?
Sometimes there is "egg failure" which can result from
a number of factors including infertility, breakage, or weather.
The female may push an egg that has failed to the side of the nest
box. If an entire clutch is lost, the female may attempt to re-nest
several weeks later, often in a different location.
Is it normal for the chicks to be left unattended for extended
periods of time?
Yes. For the first few weeks after hatching the chicks are brooded
almost constantly. After approximately 2-3 weeks they no longer
need constant brooding and the adults often are outside the nest
for extended periods.
|
How many young do peregrines have?
The female peregrine usually lays 3 or 4 eggs. The eggs are
slightly smaller than a chicken egg, and are mottled with a
dark, reddish-brown pigment. The female does most of the incubating
which takes about 33 days. The male incubates the eggs while
the female flies off to feed. The newly hatched "eyases" weigh
about 2 ounces and are covered with fluffy white down feathers.
How long do young peregrines stay in the nest?
Approximately 6 weeks. The downy white feathers the nestlings
have when they hatch are gradually replaced by juvenile feathers
in about three to five weeks. At about 6 weeks of age, young
falcons will make their first attempts at flying. After they
fledge (take their first flight) they are referred to as fledglings
and will be dependent on the adult falcons until they can hunt
for themselves (about 4 weeks later).
What do peregrine falcons eat/How do they get their food?
Peregrines eat birds and other things that fly. A peregrine
will typically fly above its prey, then fold its wings and dive
or stoop at the other bird and strike it with a half-closed
foot. The falcon then retrieves the stunned or dead bird in
midair. Peregrines are also swift fliers that can simply fly
up behind their prey and grab it in mid-flight.
How much does a peregrine falcon eat in a day?
An adult peregrine will eat about 70 grams (2 1/2 ounces) of
food per day. This is equal to about two blackbirds.
Do peregrine falcons migrate?
Yes and no. Some falcons do migrate and some do not. Peregrines
in the more northern climates (Alaska and Greenland) are more
likely to migrate during the winter to places that have a milder
climate, such as the southern United States, Central and South
America. There are some falcons in the Midwest that do not migrate
because the winters are not too severe and the food source or
prey base remains adequate. Peregrine actually means wanderer
in Latin.
Do peregrine falcons have any predators?
In remote areas, great horned owls, martins and some snakes
prey on young falcons still in the nest. However, in urban areas
peregrines have few predators.
Where do the adults go after nesting?
Biologists are not sure. However, based on public reports it
appears that Amelia stays around the Hartford area most of the
year. The male however appears to leave the area and his identity
is unknown because his band number has yet to be observed.
What happens to the chicks once they leave the nest?
Shortly after fledging, the young falcons remain close to
the nest and are frequently observed perching on nearby buildings.
The youngsters beg for food from the adults, often loudly vocalizing.
In addition, the chicks must develop and perfect their flying
skills. For the first few weeks, when perching on a ledge, the
young birds are often described as "dragging their wings,"
"almost toppling over," or "tilting." Although
they may appear in distress, these are all normal behaviors.
Once they leave the Hartford area (August-September), biologists
are unsure where the young falcons go.
Do peregrine falcons mate for life?
Peregrines generally do keep the same mate from year to year.
However, if a member of the pair dies, the surviving falcon
will accept a replacement mate sometimes as soon as a week after
its mate died.
For more information about falcons and other birds of prey,
visit the Connecticut
DEP Wildlife Page.
|
