June 23, 2011 A Contrasting Reintroduction

If only there was a standard operating procedure for the development, care and reintroduction of these beautiful young raptors. But, like any of the species inhabiting planet Earth, caring for Peregrines can be more complex than even the highest evolved Homo sapiens.  

Weaver (Red band A25) arrived at the release sight on May 25, 2011. She was strong, flapping her wings immediately and having an attitude of supremacy that said “Don’t mess with me, my talons, or my beak.” She weighed the heaviest of all the birds in our project at 950 grams. Upon her release on June 4, 2011, she quickly flew to higher points in the downtown Rapid City area, including the cell tower north of the Assurant building, the patio of the Turnac Tower, and the signal platforms of the Quest Communications Tower. She was observed chasing a pigeon, a sign in her development that she is learning to chase and capture her own food. Soon, she will be dispersing, or leaving the area to hopefully return in two years at maturity.

Penny (Red band A26) arrived on June 15. She was younger than Weaver on her arrival day and covered in much of her fluffy natal down. She looked healthy, alert, and weighed a respectable 854 grams. Penny was relatively the quiet, curious type, especially in contrast to Weaver's big and brassy self announcements. Perhaps a matter of age difference, after a couple days in the hack box, it was evident Penny wasn’t eating as she should have been and wasn’t as active as the four other birds in the hack box with her. After two days, Janie completed a field exam. As suspected, Penny had lost some weight, was slower in developing her stamina in standing upright, and displayed signs of farsightedness. Over the next days, Penny will be individually cared for to determine her ability to survive as a member of the release program. If not, an alternate plan as an educational bird living in an aviary may be necessary.

In the wild, the strongest survive. A Peregrine’s life is focused on hunting, eating, and reproducing for the species to survive. Our ultimate goal is to reestablish the Peregrine to its native habitat, yet at times that may mean we have to intervene enough to assist in the Peregrine’s continued recovery in the biological balance. With luck, Weaver will be populating the wild with future Peregrines, and Penny may be further educating us humans to respect and care for the future of this beautiful hunter.