Other Peregrine Projects > USA Peregrines
AZ / Phoenix - 2016-17
The Peregrine Chick:
--- Quote from: burdi on May 16, 2016, 02:51 ---TPC - You mentioned earlier that Smiley "had a nice bowl shape impression about 1-2 inches deep and the right circumference and nice slope on the walls", but how many inches of gravel do you find works the best for their nest boxes? Also what about the tupper nests - do they get the same depth of gravel?
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We use about the same amount - 4+ inches depending on the type of box - want to be able to keep the chicks up out of a couple of inches of water (not necessarily a huge concern in Phoenix but never say never). We add more perhaps than other locations because the gravel freezes in the winter and with a bit more (we use about 6 at the Radisson & WW) then the top has thawed by the time the males get home and want to start scraping. Don't want them heading off to other places just because the gravel in the box is still frozen. That too may not be an issue in Phoenix. We also rake/turn over our gravel in the fall to make sure anything in the gravel (and yes, everything ends up in the gravel) gets frozen hopefully to death before the birds return in the spring. We change the gravel every 4-5 years depending on how messy the pair are.
The Arizona folks could add gravel at any time, it isn't difficult. Pick up chick, add gravel, make bowl shape depression in gravel, place chick in bowl shape depression and back away from the nest. I'm being a bit facetious, but only in I don't know what the state's rules are about "visiting" nestboxes and how accessible is accessible - gravel is heavy and if there is any climbing involved it exponentially increases the time involved. If the site were like at the Radisson, it would be a 90 second job. If it were like McKenzie Seeds, a 20 minute job. In terms of the process however, it is easy and I have slipped gravel and nestboxes under eggs and under newly hatched chicks with nary a problem other than really pissed-off parents but plan it/do it right and you can be in and out very quickly.
Having said all that, the chick is going to be sitting on his rump by next week and starting to scoot around so it may be that they are just adding "more gravel" to their pre-nesting season to-do list for next year.
CHIRP ;)
burdi:
--- Quote from: The Peregrine Chick on May 15, 2016, 10:14 --- ;) CHIRP ;D
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;D Actually TPC, I really ... well, it just seemed to work! :D
burdi:
TPC - You mentioned earlier that Smiley "had a nice bowl shape impression about 1-2 inches deep and the right circumference and nice slope on the walls", but how many inches of gravel do you find works the best for their nest boxes? Also what about the tupper nests - do they get the same depth of gravel?
burdi:
I checked the cam and chick was sleeping but legs appeared less splayed while resting on a few more stones. Perhaps since chick has been moving around the nest more the stones are being shuffled all around the floor. Baby was much worse during feedings in the daytime, as you can see in the video by RCF.
burdi:
RCF, I totally agree with your description that the chick looks like it is "swimming on the floor of the box". I mentioned that I’d like to see more gravel in this box and cannot understand why someone who oversees this site has not attempted to correct the problem by now. They must be watching - so it doesn’t look hopeful that they will.
The problem might not be noticed if watching briefly, but if you look at the size of the egg (which is about 2 x 1.6 - 1.9 inches, I read), and compare the egg to the open floor area of their scrape (which is usually about 2 x 9 inches), then also consider that only a few pieces of pea gravel are usually seen on this open floor - and you might agree. I read that falcon nest boxes require an average of 4 - 6 inches of pea gravel, and from what I can see I have to wonder if there is even one full inch in that box. Adult falcons have long talons which should not be flat on the floor of their nest while sitting on eggs or chicks, and the chick really needs something to grip! The floor seems to appear extra slippery at times. I certainly hope it doesn’t actually have an extra smooth surface! (Maybe it just seems that way since the chick tries so hard to get itself up.) Otherwise, the new box looks great, and if this pair did have a successful clutch in the older box (as the article I posted mentions), then perhaps it was prepared in a better way. I’ve heard of falcons nesting successfully on rooftops or gutters, but maybe there was a little something more for a chick to grip - such as dirt and weeds, though I’m just guessing.
There have been quite a few flies in the nest as well, though flies are constantly attracted to these nests (and normally without problems). However I'm also aware of very serious problems that certain flies are able to cause in birds (and other animals). Some of these problems tend to occur if the animal is on the ground, fairly still, or happens to have an open wound (even if the wound is very small).
This particular site is accessible, but I imagine it's too late for gravel alone to help without treatment. Besides there might be another type of health condition causing the weakness, though so far chick is still vocal and eating well. Whatever the cause, I still feel the lack of gravel (on what appears to be a very slippery surface) has contributed to a noticeably uncomfortable and stressful situation for parents and chick.
Hopefully someone with more insight will add their opinion, as well. This little chick is weakening further from so much struggling, I believe. :'(
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