Other Peregrine Projects > USA Peregrines

VA / Richmond - Riverfront Plaza - 2009-22

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kittenface:
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Fledging
Our three young falcons have grown quickly. Only a few scattered tufts of down remain and their juvenile plumage is almost fully grown in. Peregrine falcons typically fledge between 40-45 days after hatching.

The door-opener apparatus will be installed on the pen door on Tuesday morning, August 18th. This will mark 47 to 48 days since hatching for these falcons. The extra time ensures full feather development, and allows these birds to strengthen their flight muscles before attempting their first flights.

The “apparatus” is comprised of a weight, bungee cords, and a plastic bottle of ice attached to the pen door. As the ice melts it releases the weight and the door is slowly pulled open by the bungee cords. Depending on the temperature on the release date, the door should open about 2-4 hours after the trigger is attached. We have used this method successfully for three years. Though the adults become aggressive when we attach the device, they quickly calm down after we leave. Past releases have gone very smoothly, with the chicks typically walking from the pen or flying to the ledge, surveying their surroundings for a few minutes or hours, and then taking successful first flights.

DGIF personnel and skilled volunteers will be stationed in the area surrounding the nest building. This will allow us to track the young birds’ first efforts and ensure that they are capable of sustained, controlled flight. This monitoring effort will continue until we are confident in the flight abilities of the fledglings. Should one of the fledglings encounter difficulty and end up on the ground, DGIF staff will recover the fledgling and either return it to the ledge or ensure prompt treatment and transportation to a licensed rehabilitation facility if necessary.

posted by VDGIF Wildlife Biologist at 7:11 PM
http://www.dgif.state.va.us/falconcam2008/

carly:
I check on them daily as well, what a gorgeous bunch of juvies.  I think they look ready to roam around but given the temperatures I can understand waiting a bit.  Although for the parents it will be challenging as all 3 will probably fledge at the same time...I've seen that here last year and was a wild ride.  Hopefully they will have a fledge watch to help with rescues if necessary.

Must be confusing for the parents right now as normally they'd be slimming them down or teasing them with food to get them to fly - which you can hardly do when you're kids are locked up.  I wonder what they must think.  :-\

Alison:
I don't know when the chicks are going to be released. Haven't been able to access the cam much for a couple of days, except when no chicks are visible.

They were out in the cage this evening as it was getting dark:

 

 

Linder:
Have been checking in on this site for the last couple of days because I thought they might have set the McGyver thing up on the door of the cage to release them. So far not, and maybe not for a couple of days. Weather is 100 degrees there today and high 90's tomorrow and thunderstorms in the forecast so it probably won't be a good time for release. They are certainly cage crazy, but should be ready for whatever they are destined to do in a couple of days. Would rather see them held back until it is safer.

Linder:
Ditto what you said Carly. Hope it happens next year as well :)

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