Other Peregrine Projects > USA Peregrines
MA / Amherst - 2015-19
burdi:
Here is an update from “UMass Amherst Libraries” on Facebook:
“Falcon update: The youngest chick was removed from the nest, cleaned, sprayed and fed, and then returned to the nest. The two unhatched eggs were removed. They were infertile. Mama falcon protected the nest valiantly. The older chick slept through it all.”
burdi:
--- Quote from: Alison on June 09, 2015, 19:22 ---
--- Quote from: burdi on June 09, 2015, 18:27 ---They have now intervened - and only the larger chick was left in the nest.
--- End quote ---
Thank you, burdi. Do you know if they treated both chicks? I will be very interested to see what the veterinarian and wildlife officials have to say.
Hoping for the best for both chicks.
--- End quote ---
I believe they only treated the smaller chick; however, I could certainly have missed something - as just watching on and off. Perhaps they feel the treatment of one chick will help the other from close contact.
I did see a man place the smaller chick back in the nest - but did not see an egg being returned (or the other chick removed).
The parents here are so beautiful; I wish the best for this falcon family.
Alison:
--- Quote from: burdi on June 09, 2015, 18:27 ---They have now intervened - and only the larger chick was left in the nest.
--- End quote ---
Thank you, burdi. Do you know if they treated both chicks? I will be very interested to see what the veterinarian and wildlife officials have to say.
Hoping for the best for both chicks.
burdi:
I watched most of the last 3 feedings here. The smaller chick tried very hard to get food a few times, but almost always fell backward.
After one of the feedings Mom had to pull the little one back to her for brooding, since the poor chick simply could not get up.
They have now intervened - and only the larger chick was left in the nest.
Alison:
--- Quote from: The Peregrine Chick on June 09, 2015, 16:23 ---
--- Quote from: Alison on June 09, 2015, 12:53 ---The first chick hatched on June 2, and the second chick hatched on June 4. Both looked fine at that time.
--- End quote ---
And no, this isn't a solution if they have louse flies but it can make it easier to gauge effects of parasites or illness when you aren't having to visually compensate when there is more skin showing due to a natural growth spurt. When you watch them on camera - or in my case at the moment from still image screen captures, it is always important to know where they are in development.
And you are right Alison, brooding prey remains is not such a hot idea if parasite infestations are a problem. One of the advantages of cold dry winters and exposed nestsites and nestboxes is that it tends to help keep these kinds of problems at bay. Not always, but mostly. It is also why we clean out the boxes in the spring and fall and change out the gravel ever few years. But mostly cold, cold winters and even some nice baking hot summer weather helps to keep things dry and clean.
--- End quote ---
I totally understand about the bare patches of skin visible during a growth spurt; have seen that many times. But I think in this case it is something more. From its appearance, I do think this is an infestation of Hippoboscid flies.
And yes, cleaning out the nest boxes and changing the gravel really makes a difference. Statistically, it has been shown to increase hatch percentages and the survival rate of very young chicks.
It is difficult to see what is going on from very small pics. I have isolated the chicks from a couple of the pics in the hope that it will give a better idea.
The dark areas are actually dried blood. The area under the wing is usually the primary site of infestation (first pic). The second pic gives the back view, with more dark areas and a whole lot of missing down feathers.
For comparison purposes, here is a photo of Bugsy when he had a very severe infestation, which killed his two siblings:
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