More on Ambassador:
A week after his sister died, the male peregrine falcon that was hatched under the Ambassador Bridge this spring has suffered an injury that could permanently affect his future in the wild. Nancy Phillips, president of the Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, said it's believed the male fledgling was hurt in the thunderstorm that struck Windsor Thursday afternoon. The injured falcon -- known as Ambassador -- was rescued from the ground by observers, who immediately brought him to the centre for treatment.
"He does have a small injury, and we're worried about his well-being at this time," Phillips said. "We just don't know which way it's going to play. We want to give all our time and energy to the bird at this moment, and see what we can do in the next few days."
The male is one of two chicks hatched in early May by a peregrine falcon couple who have chosen the support pillar on the Windsor side of the Ambassador Bridge as their annual nesting site. The other chick, a female, died June 19 with a throat infection. Observers have surmised that the heavy winds during the storm blew the male fledgling to the ground, injuring one of his wings.
Phillips said Ambassador is "resting comfortably," and the centre's goal is to give him as much peace and quiet as possible. "We are seeing some improvement." The centre hopes to have the bird examined by a veterinarian and X-rayed early this week. Phillips said she's been told Freddie and Voltaire -- the names given to the parent couple -- have remained in the Ambassador Bridge area, and they can still be seen around the pillar. But time is running out for the young male. Phillips said the bird is a "teenager." This stage of his life is when he should be learning crucial survival skills from his parents. For that reason, it would be ideal if he could return to Freddie and Voltaire in a matter of days. But Phillips said that won't be possible "unless he can recuperate very fast -- which I can't see happening, that fast. I think time will tell."
Peregrine falcons are considered a species at risk in Canada. Their numbers fell severely in the 1970s due to the pesticide DDT. Now the birds are making a gradual comeback, and they've adapted to urban environments.
Since this spring's successful hatchings, the Windsor falcon family and their nest site have drawn many onlookers and volunteers. Phillips remains positive about Ambassador's future. She said he has many long-term options: he could be kept for educational purposes, or brought to places dedicated to bird rehabilitation. Phillips said the Ministry of Natural Resources will make the final choice on where the bird should go. Phillips credited observers for saving the bird Thursday, and acknowledged their disappointment at the latest events in the falcon family's lives.
