Subject: Peregrine in Spokane
Date: Apr 29 16:57:48 2000
From: Howard Ferguson - FERGUHLF at dfw.wa.gov
Hi Hans
Yes, this stretching is quite common for peregrines, and all raptors in general. You can't tell which bird is male or female without the band numbers. At this time however, I would bet it was the male, which has quite a bit of time on its hands (talons?) to preen itself, since the female is hopefully incubating the eggs. I have not yet seen the female on the nest, but will continue to look for her - the ledge is deep enough that you cannot see her unless she sits up to turn the eggs or takes off to feed. Two birds have been seen this year at the bridge, so we are hoping for another successful year. These two birds are Peregrine Fund released birds from the Clark Fork River east of Sandpoint in Idaho. The male was released on July 9, 1994. The female, an distinquished older bird, was released on June 11, 1991! Keep up the good observations, and please let me know if you spot the female either on the nest or flying off.
thanks
Howard
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Howard L. Ferguson
WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife
Wildlife Biologist
N 8702 Division St.
Spokane, WA 99218
509-456-4420
509-456-4071 (fax)
ferguhlf at dfw.wa.gov
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>>> <two.wing-nuts at juno.com> 04/28 10:01 PM >>>
Tweetlanders: I spent an hour and a half between 5 pm and 6:30 pm
watching our resident peregrine on high bridge here in Spokane. All I
had was our 12x36 window mounted scope but it was quite close most of
that time. It took off for two short intervals during that period. Most
of the peregrine's time was spent grooming all of its wing, tail and
other feathers that it could reach. Must have done them all several
times. When it groomed the wing and tail feathers it would move the
inner eye lids over the eyes to protect them. It also groomed (or
sharpened?) its talons. It scatched its head and neck area many times.
I never saw a mate in that time. Would its mate be incubating eggs at
this time? It had a full crop and there was some blood on its breast.
It had a red band on its right tarsus and a metal band on the left.
Could not read numbers. I have never seen a raptor stretch before. This
one, several times, extended the right wing and right leg simultaneously
to the rear. Alternated with the left wing and leg doing a stretch again
simultaneously. It was very interesting to watch this beautiful bird's
behavior. Can an expert on our local peregrines tell me from the bands
if this was a male or female? Age?
Thanks Hans
Hans & Kathryn "Katie" Krauss, Spokane, WA two.wing-nuts at juno.com
It's better to be "WNGNUTS" than dead-bolts. (vanity plate)
Kathryn's office: Parish.Nurse at juno.com (M-W)