Peregrine Falcons at the University of Michigan 2007

peregrine flyingperegrine flying

One of the peregrines flying near the bell tower. Notice bird is carrying prey with one foot. Photos by Per Kjeldsen, March 18 2007.


peregrine feedingperegrine on ledge

Female with purple band on right leg, male with black/green 85/K band on left leg. Photos by Bob DeLosh, 2006.


peregrine looking in windowperegrine looking in window

A young peregrine visiting January 23, looking in window of 8th floor office at the Graduate Library. Photos by Janet Hinshaw

 

 

 

 

For more photos, see the page for 2006.

spotting scope

Two Peregrine Falcons were sighted at the University of Michigan Burton carillon tower on March 8, 2006. They attempted to nest but were unsuccessful. Both birds stayed until about November, and there was only one bird seen during the winter (probably the male). He didn't spend much time on the tower. What may have been a third, young bird was seen in January 2007 (see above). The adult came and harrassed him several times. The female returned in early March 2007, and the male and female were seen together, performing courtship diving and head bobbing displays. They have been quite vocal, and can often be heard calling.

We placed a spotting scope in the window of our bird collection room, where we have a great view of the east side of the tower. We have been checking on them several times a day since.

They spend most of their time on the two top ledges of the tower, by the windows. If you walk around the tower, you can often see them perched on one of the upper ledges, or on the ledge just under the roof.

They will probably try to nest on one of the upper corner ledges. Please keep checking and let us know if you see anything! In 2006 we were unable to get good enough photos of the bands to determine the origin of either bird. The male's bands were clearly seen in March 2007 and he was identified as having hatched in Kentucky in 2004. It has not been determined if the female is banded or not. If anyone gets a good picture of her legs, please send it to me so that we can try and find out where she came from.

The "tooth" on the upper bill and the notch in the lower bill allow the bird to shear bones and tough tissue. Falcons have a round nostril, opening within the cere (the fleshy colored area at the base of the bill). These features are different from other hawks and are two of the defining characters of the family Falconidae.

photo of specimen from Idaho by Janet Hinshaw


 

Bob Payne, Curator of Birds, Janet Hinshaw, Collection Manager, and Sherri Smith, Art School, have been checking around the base of the tower for food remains. We are collecting the remains in the Bird Division. We will keep a running tally of what we find. Highlights last year were Yellow Rail and Least Bittern. These birds eat fewer Pigeons than many peregrines in more urban settings. They seem to hunt mainly along the river and marshes near town. One was seen last year near Ford Lake. If you see the birds away from central campus, please let us know when and where you have spotted them. Old remains from 2006 that have been found in 2007 have been added to the 2006 list.

During the rainy and windy weather in late April the birds were not dropping many items. The behavior of the birds as of early May seems to indicate that the nesting attempt has failed for this year. The birds are not around the tower very much, and are not dropping much prey. Both birds are still here, as of October. Inspection of the architectural drawings of the tower indicate the only place for them to nest is in the gutter. We will pursue trying to get a nest box installed.

Please call us if you see something on the ground under the tower so we can pick it up. Thanks!

Link to the 2006 web page.

Back to Bird Division page

Last updated 25 October 2007

photo taken in Alaska by David Mindell