Concern for a Gulf Peregrine "with a metal thing sticking out of her back"

Viewers to WPC's Web Camera saw the successful hatching of four peregrine falcons in what was an atypical year at Pittsburgh's Gulf Tower; the original male being displaced by a new male and the female laying a second clutch of eggs. While her siblings have long since dispersed, one female remains in Pittsburgh and has been seen in and above the downtown area. Today's photos were taken on September 19th by Jenny Bartley from the 22nd floor of the Oliver Building on Smithfield Street.

The female was banded in July with her three siblings, and fitted with a light-weight radio transmitter vest. She is the only Pittsburgh fledgling from this year who was outfitted with a radio transmitter, and the Game Commission is tracking her movements (or, thus far, her lack of movement from Pittsburgh).

Because of the antenna, she is quite distinctive and has been the subject of a few calls from people who have seen her and are concerned about "that metal thing is sticking out of her back." Although odd looking, the antenna does not interefer with the bird's ability to hunt or fly.

For peregrine falcons, telemetry will provide several specific benefits, beyond the basic question of where they go. With the continuous monitoring provided by telemetry, scientists and wildlife managers have the potential to rescue a bird trapped in an unsafe situation, or to investigate causes of death. A better assessment of risks can be determined by evaluating winter residence, including exposure to toxins and direct persecution potential in Latin America. For our peregrines in Pittsburgh, we will be able to know where they are dispersing and how they fare in their, hopefully, long lives.

Last year two peregrines, a male and a female, were outfitted with tracking devices. You can see their latest flight patterns online at the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

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