Lawrence Peregrines: ready to fledge

June 12, 2017 in In the Nest Box

_W7I9852-001During a late afternoon visit to observe the nest box action, had a wonderful opportunity to see the chicks moving around the outer ledge of the nest box.  As happens at this stage of growth, there was lots of wing flapping and movement by the chicks.

Of particular note was watching the female go out on the perch a number of times and show the chicks how to do so.  she demonstrated how to balance and not fall off.  Then she took off into flight in to the west.  As she lifted off, her talons remained out, not tucked under in normal streamline fashion.

_W7I9895-001She was making a very short flight to a nearby rooftop to show the nestlings how to prepare for first flight!  she remained on the roof for a few minutes and then took off in a flash.

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn female perched

June 12, 2017 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

_W7I0073-001The heat wave continues and the local peregrines can be seen panting and holding their wings out and up a bit to stay cool.  The female was the only one seen today and she was perched in the late day shadows atop a utility pole near the circle.

Bald Eagle nest: Essex County

June 12, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_W7I9444-001The 3 Bald Eagle chicks continue to grow in size and shape. Adults will feed their chicks directly until the eaglets are five to six weeks old, when the young are able to tear pieces of food off and feed themselves.

By age 5 weeks, male and female parents bring relatively equal amounts of food. Parents begin spending more time away from the young and often perch in nearby trees. By six weeks the young are able to stand and walk, and by seven weeks maximum body growth nearing completion.

At eight weeks, they are at their hungriest and are ready to fly by week twelve. By the time chicks are 9 weeks old, they are fully grown. Chicks continue on the nest gaining strength for 10 to 12 weeks.

Day 28: Nearly full grown size and weight

June 9, 2017 in In the Nest Box

2017.0609-001As they approach four weeks of age, the chicks are rapidly growing their juvenile feathers both below and above, and are looking visibly darker with each passing day.

At day 28, the chicks are nearing the midpoint of their transition from down-covered chick to juvenile-plumaged fledgling, and are nearly full-grown in terms of body size and weight.

Day 26: More colored feathers on breast

June 7, 2017 in In the Nest Box

2017.0607-001In their fourth week of life, the chicks undergo significant changes almost daily.  Around day 25, the brown tips to the secondaries become clearly visible, and the number of coloured feathers visible on the breast increases noticeably.  Behaviourally, they are rarely resting on their tarsi anymore at this age.

At day 26, the development continues in terms of the increasing covering of juvenile feathers on the breast.  The area on the head bare of down also continues to expand. 

Peregrine Falcons: East Cambridge

June 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I9161-001Had nice looks at both Peregrine Falcon adults while making a short stop in East Cambridge.  Both were seen in normal perch locations on upper floor railings looking out in a SSW direction.

 

 

 

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Peregrine Falcons: Boston University

June 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I9206-001At least 2 chicks were seen playing around and wing flapping atop one of the high rise towers at Boston University.  The 2 chicks were seen near the nest box with both adults perched nearby and keeping a close eye on the chicks!

Peregrine Falcons: Huntington Ave., Boston

June 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I9389-001Four fledgling peregrine falcons in Boston were tagged Wednesday, May 24th by researchers hoping to track the young birds after they leave the nest. The chicks, known as eyeases, were born on May 11 to one of only 30 pairs of nesting peregrine falcons in Massachusetts. Their rooftop nest is located at 177 Huntington Avenue, near the Prudential Center.

Small silver tags were placed on the eyeases left feet by members of Mass Audubon and the Mass Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Green and black tags were secured to the right feet.

Day 24: Facial pattern more evident

June 5, 2017 in In the Nest Box

2017.0605-001By day 24 the facial pattern behind the eyes is becoming increasingly evident, and some colouration is becoming visible on the upper breast as juvenile feathers develop beneath the down.   The legs are now just about fully developed, and thus banding takes place now or a few days before.  

It is fascinating to have this awesome opportunity to watch the growth and development of the chicks inside the nest box.  Here the female has brought back prey and grips it tight with her oversized left leg talons!

Day 23: Standing on their feet

June 4, 2017 in In the Nest Box

2017.0604-001As these four chicks demonstrate, they alternate between standing on their feet and resting on their tarsi.  Here, the female has arrived with prey and the four chicks all around the female but in different directions.  They are all standing and all have new leg bands!