State wildlife officials who banded the young Peregrine falcons that hatched earlier this month in the nest on the Rachel Carson State Building in Harrisburg have determined there are two male and two female birds.

The falcons were examined this week during a live Internet webcast in front of an audience of about 175 Central Pennsylvania students.

The sex of the birds is determined mostly by size with the females weighing about a third more than their male siblings. In fact, in the next several weeks, the young falcons will actually outweigh their parents but will lose the extra weight once they begin to fledge or take flight.

The four young falcons were examined and found to be in relatively good health. All four were treated for mites, a common issue with the birds. The two male falcons showed some indication of Trichomoniasis, a condition that can make it difficult for them to swallow, making feeding difficult. Since the case appears to be mild at this time, officials decided to return the birds to the nest and monitor them. If they were to deteriorate, they would be removed and given a course of antibiotics.

The next several weeks will be the most active and perilous time for the young falons as they learn to fly. The adults will spend their days teaching the young how to fly and hunt before they leave the nest sometime this summer.

Watch live video of the Harrisburg falcons online at DEP’s Falcon webpage.

Links: Visit the Pittsburgh Falcons online

5/25/2007