Harrisburg’s Peregrine Falcons Produce Four Females, One Male

State wildlife officials who examined the five young Peregrine falcons that recently hatched from a nest at the Rachel Carson State Office Building determined this year’s clutch consists of four females and one male.

 

The falcons were banded today before a live audience of more than 150 students from central Pennsylvania schools as well as thousands of viewers who watched via a live webcast.

 

Game Commission Biologist Dr. Art McMorris retrieved four the young “fledglings” from the nest on the 15th floor of the building. One falcon is banded at the nest and is left behind to minimize upsetting the parents. Dr. McMorris examines the birds for parasites and other ailments common to Peregrines.

 

He then attaches an alphanumeric band to their legs, and a color coded band to assist rescue volunteers in identifying the falcons when they begin to fly. Morris, along with DEP Director of Environmental Education Jack Farster, conduct a lesson on the falcons and take questions from students.

 

Many of the students have been following the progress of the birds online as part of their science curriculum.

 

This is the 10th year a pair of Peregrine falcons has reproduced at this nest site. So far, 44 eggs have been produced. Of those, 41 hatched. The current tally is 22 females and 17 males (the sex of one nestling hatched in 2006, the runt of the clutch, could not be determined, along with one in 2008).

 

Peregrine falcons remain on Pennsylvania’s list of endangered species. The birds are the fastest creatures on earth, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when stalking prey.

 

To watch how the young falcons learn to fly, tune in to the Peregrine falcon webpage.