Please be aware, this post has content of the Peregrine Falcons with prey.
On 7.21.24 my father and I visited this McKinley Park industrial building area to check on the Peregrine Falcon family at 7:00 AM. We first saw the female Peregrine Falcon fledgling (Mei) on the side of the tower. She then flew to and perched at a few other spots before returning to her original perch to eat a small bird. One of the parents (Morty Richardson) had been perched on top of the tower, but disappeared for a few minutes before flying in with his mate (Bree) and perching in the window where they nested this year. Bree perched on a nearby building while Mei ate her presumed House Sparrow. While Mei finished her meal, Morty flew back to the top of the tower. After she finished eating, Mei was still hungry and chased Morty to try and get him to hunt for her. Mei returned to the top of the tower for a bit before chasing a Green Heron, but failing to catch it. Still hungry, she chased Bree onto some fire escapes. At some point, Morty flew to a high perch behind both of them (maybe in hopes that Mei wouldn't notice him). After futilely calling at Bree for a few minutes, Mei chased Bree almost right into us! They were just a few feet from the ground, and about 15-20 ft away from us before they saw us and pulled up to continue to chase each other, about 6 feet above us for a few seconds! We found Bree hidden on a windowsill 4 minutes later.
We came back later this morning with my mom and brother. We arrived just in time to see Mei drop into a stoop (downward swoop) to try to catch a pigeon! Unsuccessful, she perched above her mother, Bree, and called at her. Morty perched on top of the building and quickly plucked a bird. He then flew to a neighboring building.
This was an amazing day filled with amazing birds! It was also my mom's birthday, and I loved seeing these birds with her and the rest of my family!
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