OK, so today was an unexpected day, as was yesterday. Being a business owner equips you with being prepared for the unexpected. Yesterday started as the perfect day on a field trip with my son at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center (www.mohonkpreserve.org). If you haven’t been there yet it is worth the trip. They have exhibits and educational programs for all ages. This particular trip revolved around exploring and learning about the mammals and birds found in the Hudson Valley, right up my alley. It started out as a wonderful interactive learning program. We discussed raccoons, fishers, and a host of others and then moved onto the birds. We talked owls, many different types and a woodpecker, but there were animal exhibits of a bald eagle and peregrine falcon. I reference this, as this is the topic of the blog today.
You see my son’s class trip was cut short and he had no school today, because of a water main break at school. So….as we were having a play date today and the kids were swimming in the pool, I asked my son Jason and his friend Gage, what animal would they like me to blog about today….and they decided or actually I compromised and agreed to do 2 birds instead of mammals, the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. I can’t say we get any calls on these two birds, nor are they nuisance birds, but the smile it brought to my son and his friend to know they provided input was well worth shifting the topic. Besides, the bald eagle is our national bird, there must be some interest in learning more about them and the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the world and hence worth exploring.
The Bald Eagle is our national bird and is the only bird unique to North America
The bald eagle became the National emblem in 1782 when the great seal
of the United States was adopted.
Eagles are part of the Accipitridae family, which also includes kites, Hawks and old world vultures. Scientists divide eagles into four groups based on their physical characteristics and behavior. The bald eagle is a sea or fish eagle. Bald eagles can be found in the Gulf States from Texas and Baja California across to South Carolina and Florida. They can also be found north of 40 degrees north latitude across the entire continent. There is a high concentration found in Northwest, especially in Alaska. The bald eagles typically found in the north are larger then the ones found in the southern areas.
The American bald eagle was on the endangered species list until 2007. The bald eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Both the male and female adult bald eagles have a blackish-brown back and breast; a white head, neck and tail, yellow feet and bill. Juvenile bald eagles are a mixture of brown and white. They reach full maturity in four to five years. The female bald eagle is 35” to 37”, slightly larger than the male. Their wingspan ranges from 72 to 90 inches. Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph. They weigh from 10 to 14 lbs. Bald Eagles are light because their bones are hollow. Bald eagles eat mainly fish, but they will take advantage of carrion (dead and decaying fish). The bald eagle is a strong swimmer. The bald eagle lays between 1 to 3 eggs. The incubation period is 35 days and the responsibilities of the eggs are shared evenly between male and female. The nesting period is approximately 20 weeks. Once eagles are paired they remain together until one dies.
The scientific name of the Falcon comes from the Latin words falco; meaning hooked shaped and may refer to the beak or claws and pergrinus, meaning to wander. The Peregrine Falcon has one of the most global distributions of any bird of prey. This falcon is found on every continent except Antarctica and lives in a wide variety of habitats from tropics, deserts and maritime to the tundra, and from sea level to 12,000 feet. Peregrines are highly migratory in the northern part of their range.
The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 15 to 20 inches, a 3 ½ foot wingspan and weighs 1 ¼ to 2 ¾ lbs. The male bird is referred to as a tiercel and the female as a falcon. Peregrine Falcons chiefly hunt birds such as starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, jays, shorebirds and waterfowl, but will rarely take mammals, reptiles, or insects. Peregrines may use a variety of hunting techniques, but typically prey is captured in the air after a fast pursuit or a rapid dive to catch the prey. Peregrine falcons frequently nest near water on ledges of rocky cliffs or buildings, but occasionally will use abandoned stick nests of other species. They do not build nests, but scrape a small depression out of the soil. Peregrines lay 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated for about 34 days. The young falcons fledge 5 to 6 weeks after hatching.
Some interesting facts regarding the Peregrine are:
- Peregrine populations were once endangered due to pesticides like DDT, which caused the female to lay thin-shelled eggs that were easily broken.
- Peregrine Falcons have adapted to living in many cities. Cities offer tall building with ledges for nesting, water sources, large populations of pigeons and starlings for food and have few natural predators.
- Falcons have been clocked diving at speeds of up to 180 mph. Peregrine Falcons are amazing!
check this video out
On behalf of everyone here at Wildlife Busters, we wish you a healthy and happy Memorial Day weekend. A special thank you for all of you who have served our country in the armed forces and fought for the freedoms that we now cherish and make America the incredible country it is. Please mention you are a veteran and receive a 5% discount.
Wildlife Busters not only provides animal trapping and removal services but we will decontaminate and sanitize the area, apply wildlife exclusion materials and techniques to ensure no re-entry and we will consult with you on how to modify your habits to reduce the likelihood of another human/wildlife encounter at your property. Call us toll free at 1-855-945-1212.
Inspirational Quote of the Week
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little course, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice. Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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