June 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts
Had 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.
June 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts
At 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!
June 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts
Four 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.
June 5, 2017 in In the Nest Box
By 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!
June 4, 2017 in In the Nest Box
As 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!
June 2, 2017 in In the Nest Box
Around the three week point, the first juvenile feathers begin to poke through the down on the breast. The chicks continue to rest on their tarsi much of the time, rather than standing on their feet, but this balance shifts quickly in the days to follow. Today they are resting quite a bit and awaiting next feeding!
May 29, 2017 in In the Nest Box
Around noon today, observed the female deliver a big takeout lunch to the ravenous chicks!
May 28, 2017 in In the Nest Box
Around day 16, dark spots can be seen along the edges of the wings, indicating the growth of flight feathers underneath the covering of down. The down on the head also begins to take on a rougher texture around the stage of growth!
May 24, 2017 in In the Nest Box
The chicks are now approaching two weeks of age and growing bigger each day with nonstop appetites and feedings!
May 23, 2017 in In the Nest Box
A mid morning visit to nest box by female with prey in hand….she is ripping apart freshly caught prey and feeding to ever hungry chicks!
By day 11, the beak is already beginning to acquire a slightly yellow tinge, as opposed to the pink color it has had to this point in the chick’s development.
