Falcon Babies Are Back

[lizbud]

The Indy Falcons have hatched a group of babies in a special
built nest in a downtown building by our DNR .:)

Check them out on the Falcon Cam:

http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/141425-6480-047.html

[Jetta_Pup]

That is soooo NEAT i saved 2 of the pics when i was watching it.

http://img50.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Jetta_Pup/untitled222222222222.bmp
http://img50.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Jetta_Pup/untitled222222222222222222222222222.bmp

[Miss Meow]

It's dark now - can't wait until your morning so I can look again :)

I love projects like this as it gives hope that man and nature can co-exist in the city.

[Miss Meow]

~bump~ I can see the chicks :)

Liz, I've forwarded this to some friends and I think half the country is watching!

[Kfamr]

That's so awesome!! I can't wait until the sun comes up so I can see!

[ramanth]

Oh they are so adorable!!! :D

I've been to that square before. :) Now I'll have to remember to look UP next time I visit. :D

[lizbud]

I've had the Falcon cam up all day at work. The pics change
every two minutes, so I've just been checking in on the chicks
every so often. There have been some good ones of them being
fed by momma falcon.

In a few weeks they should be really moving all around the nest
box & checking out the ledge. :eek:

[Miss Meow]

She's feeding right now :)

[lizbud]

http://www.indystar.com/users/special/falcon/falcam2/falcam2current.jpg?1083342914235



It's been a cloudy/rainy morning, but the sun is coming out now.
Looks like these chicks are looking right into the camera.:D

[lizbud]

The four baby chicks are getting huge.:D They are said to
be each the size of a football. They are also losing all the baby
white fuzz & growing adult feathers.:D


http://www.indystar.com/special/falcon/

[Fallon]

Oh how kewl it's so neat to watch them. They're cute!

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

awwwwwwwwww

look at em now... he he!:D

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

awwwwww

the camera just updated and it looks like a little fuzzy bottom blocking half of the camera while a little chickey in the background is fussin!!:) :D :D

[lizbud]

OMG, one of the chicks is sitting up on the ledge.:eek:
I wish their momma would come back to check on them.

[Miss Meow]

I know, Liz, I checked in this morning and there was a little kamikaze chick on the ledge - noooooooo, don't jump! :)

Only last Friday they were little white fluffballs and now they are ready to sample the adult world :)

[Kfamr]

They've gotten HUGE! :eek:

where did their momma go?

[lizbud]

The last update that mentioned the Falcon parents, says that
they are still hanging around. The last update was May 20th;


http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/130739-3476-175.html

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by lizbud

... the Falcon parents...

... they are still hanging around.

I think Mom & Dad Falcon do a bit more than just "hang around"...

Falcons are Very Devoted and caring parents!
They are totally responsible for conducting the *hunts* for
ALL the food the Baby Falcons consume.
Many aerial hunting "sorties" are flown by Mom & Dad to keep
the hungry brood well fed.

And as the article about the "Banding" of the Chicks described -
Mom & Dad are FIERCLY Protective of the Chicks.

And talk about :eek: moments...
Keep *watching* Falcon Cam -
because *Flight School* classes are about to begin!
Hold your breath, because ~
The Chicks hop up on the ledge and begin to exercise their wings -
*Flapping* and spreading them to get the "feel" of the breeze.

Another Falcon site suggests the nest is Sooo High Up for many reasons ~
Predators can't feed on the eggs or chicks;
Mom & Dad can survey their domain - and spot *food* easily;
And when it's finally time for that First Solo FLIGHT -
the extreme height is a blessing for the un-skilled aviator...
If the lil one "forgets" :eek: to start the flappin engine -
instinct tells him or her to SPREAD Those WINGS -
and they can GLIDE down to a controlled crash landing.

And Mom or Dad will be right there to encourage the
lil one to *FLAP* and take off for another attempt at that First Flight.

/s/ Phred