Radisson - 2012 / Ivy & Princess

[RCF]

Time for some phanatic phanta phood called pigeon!!!  Princess took it from Ivy who dropped it off and now the pigeon is being de-feathered!!  yum yums

Since the pigeon is very accessible to the falcons we have been calling it "Flying KD". 

[RaptorGal]

jadoo, you are ok!  Now what I want to know is which chick is which in that chick pile fluffling huddle!!  Now that is a raptackulous delusion!!

BTW, yup, that pigeon still had its head on but Princess pulled the meat off without touching the head that I could see.

[Kinderchick]

...just saw ivy bring in a good-sized late lunch for the chicks - princess was struggling with it a little; however, it looked like it still had it's head.  I thought that (aeons ago) TPC mentioned how meticulous our falcons were with removing the head of any prey before bringing it to the nest, something about a particular bacteria found in the head and neck of some prey.  Was I dreaming this?  (Or, worse yet, think it up on my own, and am now trying to involve other people in my delusions???)

I think I recall TPC mentioning this a very long time ago too, jadoo. So, I don't think you're delusional, but if you are, then that makes 2 of us.

[jadoo]

Isn't the bird being prepared to be eaten as a meal usually de-feathered prior to it being brought to the nestbox? Chicks sure appear to be enjoying it, whatever it is.

...and maybe I'm not delusional...

[RaptorGal]

Time for some phanatic phanta phood called pigeon!!!  Princess took it from Ivy who dropped it off and now the pigeon is being de-feathered!!  yum yums

Isn't the bird being prepared to be eaten as a meal usually de-feathered prior to it being brought to the nestbox? Chicks sure appear to be enjoying it, whatever it is.

I know sometimes the feathers are taken off in the nestbox.  Those little flufflings can sure stretch their necks!!!

[jadoo]

...just saw ivy bring in a good-sized late lunch for the chicks - princess was struggling with it a little; however, it looked like it still had it's head.  I thought that (aeons ago) TPC mentioned how meticulous our falcons were with removing the head of any prey before bringing it to the nest, something about a particular bacteria found in the head and neck of some prey.  Was I dreaming this?  (Or, worse yet, think it up on my own, and am now trying to involve other people in my delusions???)  

[Kinderchick]

Time for some phanatic phanta phood called pigeon!!!  Princess took it from Ivy who dropped it off and now the pigeon is being de-feathered!!  yum yums

Isn't the bird being prepared to be eaten as a meal usually de-feathered prior to it being brought to the nestbox? Chicks sure appear to be enjoying it, whatever it is.

[MayShowers]

This looks like a tough old pigeon.  I'm not sure who's getting more - mom or the chicks

[RaptorGal]

Time for some phanatic phanta phood called pigeon!!!  Princess took it from Ivy who dropped it off and now the pigeon is being de-feathered!!  yum yums

[bcbird]

The chicks are growing very quickly - scroll back through some of the photos here to see how much in just 3-4 days.

I don't notice the size difference anymore between late #4 chick and the others.

[The Peregrine Chick]

 Princess preening her breast feathers while the flufflings are taking a bit of a sunbath!  Once in a while somebabybirdie stretches and looks around.  They sure have black eyes that startle you with their white fluffie feathers.  Looks like some-ghostly-phantachicks!!!   phantaghouls!?

For folks new to the Forum and the peregrines, the white feathers that RaptorGal is talking about is the first of three different phase of feathers the chicks will grow before they migrate out in the autumn.  This first phase is down which by the time they are 10-11 days old will cover their entire bodies (at the moment it doesn't) ane it will help the chicks to thermoregulate their own body temperatures.  By the time we band them (21-25 days old) their flight feathers will start to show through the down feathers and by 45 days old, there will only be a wisp or two of down showing on their heads.

[RaptorGal]

   Princess preening her breast feathers while the flufflings are taking a bit of a sunbath!  Once in a while somebabybirdie stretches and looks around.  They sure have black eyes that startle you with their white fluffie feathers.  Looks like some-ghostly-phantachicks!!!   phantaghouls!?

[GCG]

Here's the forecast for the long weekend ....

• Tonight - Clearing this evening. Hazy. Wind southeast 30 km/h. Low 13.
• Thursday - Sunny. Hazy. Wind southeast 30 km/h. High 29. UV index 6 or high. Partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers in the evening. Becoming clear overnight. Risk of thunderstorms in the evening. Wind south 20 km/h becoming light early in the evening. Low 14.
• Friday - Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High 32.
• Saturday - Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 16. High 24.
• Sunday - Sunny. Low 10. High 19.
• Monday - Sunny. Low 7. High 23.
• Tuesday - A mix of sun and cloud. Low 10. High 23.

TPC, with all the information about our Royals, it help a great deal to have the knowledge of a meteorologist. I, for one appreciate it when you post these long range forecasts. My birthday is next month, can you tell me what the weather will be?   seriously, thank you for all your expertise, the entire forum appreciates everthing you do for us.  

[moka]

Princess was looking into the camera and if looks could kill, we'd all be dead!  What a glare, I think she could almost stop her prey with just that glance. I'm glad we can watch all this from a safe distance.

[RaptorGal]

 

8:00am
Kids are getting fed and of course Mom is blocking the view.    Those kids sure are noisy!  

Its the barbershop quartet trying out their voices, uh, in this case the nestbox quartet?? haha  Beautiful sounds to hear!!!