Bird Cams Around the World

I don't remember that story Alison. Would you happen to have any band info or where she came from? The CCB biologists have said that James (James River Bridge) was the oldest known wild falcon. He was 20 when he died last year.

I never did know her band numbers. Back then, there was far less information available. And yes, Sir James was an absolutely amazing tiercel (not to mention extremely handsome). The only other male I can think of who lived to be twenty years old was Handsome from Buffalo.

Here is a short article on the Virginia falcon from July 29, 2003 (the article I read at the time seems to be gone):

NORFOLK FALCON HAS LANDED IN REHAB
POPULAR PEREGRINE BROKE ITS WING IN FLIGHT.(LOCAL)

Virginia's oldest peregrine falcon, a popular fixture atop downtown Norfolk's skyscrapers for more than a decade, was injured this weekend and taken to a wildlife center Monday for surgery.

The 17-year-old female falcon, mother to many of Virginia's remaining peregrines, apparently clipped a fence or power line while flying Saturday morning along the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake. It fell onto a road, broke its wing and may have sustained other internal injuries, experts said.

And the follow-up article, from August 21, 2003:

NORFOLK FALCON DIES AFTER WING SEVERELY INJURED IN-FLIGHT ACCIDENT LEFT DOWNTOWN RESIDENT TOO BADLY HURT TO THRIVE; YOUNG MATE TO CARRY ON.(LOCAL)

Norfolk's most famous peregrine falcon, the oldest raptor of its kind in Virginia and one of the oldest breeders in North America, has died after being injured last month above the Elizabeth River.

But the speedy, rare bird that perched for years atop downtown skyscrapers will not soon be forgotten. Or even buried.

That's because the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has acquired the feathered carcass and plans to stuff it and mount it for use as an environmental education tool, officials said Wednesday.

''She's an old lady who did a lot of good for us, so it's only appropriate that she …





From my archives, a photo of her:

Alison, I was able to find some info on this falcon in the old CCB annual falcon reports, which can be found here: http://www.ccb-wm.org/vafalcons/features/features.cfm. If you would like specific band info or other info, let me know your questions and I will find the answers. These reports are a great resource if you can find them on the website It appears there is a little confusion in the age details (17 in 2003 and 18 in 2002). My guess is she died at 17, but I would be happy to ask.

http://www.ccb-wm.org/vafalcons/features/2002_CCBTR-02-13.pdf

From page 11 of this 2002 report:

A second factor that may be reducing overall hatching rate is the age of some
breeding females within the population. Two breeding females are known to be greater
than 15 years old, an age threshold beyond which reproductive success has been suggested
to decline. The resident female on the Berkley Bridge in Norfolk is known to be 18
years old. This female has laid 13 eggs in the past 2 years only 1 of which has hatched.
The resident female on the James River Bridge is now 16 years old. In 2002, this female
produced 5 eggs only 3 of which hatched. Although the age distribution of females is not
completely known these two individuals alone are having an impact on overall hatching
rate.

http://www.ccb-wm.org/vafalcons/features/2003_CCBTR_03-05.pdf

From page 10 of the 2003 report:

Berkley Bridge Female – This female was 17 years old and had been resident within the
Norfolk territory for many years. She was found by a citizen at the ship yard in Portsmouth
and was transferred to a local rehabilitator. She was later taken to the Wildlife Center of
Virginia. The examination indicated that she would not be releasable. Rather than attempting
to place this bird in a captive program, she was euthanized.

Thank you so much for the information, obxbarb! I read both reports - very interesting. I see what you mean about the age discrepancy. I would love to know the Berkely bridge falcon's band numbers, and where she came from originally.

Very interesting research--thanks for looking into it, Barb and Alison! I'm thinking that as late as the early 2000's, there were few enough falcons around that there weren't so many territorial battles and thus the older females weren't killed so that younger ones could have their nesting territory. That has changed in the last few years, so I'm guessing that's why we don't see many old falcons.

I just love this kind of stuff!

Alison, I was just with Shawn today and asked about this (since he didn't answer my e-mail:). He said he thinks she was from Maryland. She had black bands that had worn off. He suggested contacting Craig Koppie (sp?), who manages most of the mid-atlantic falcons. I'll send him a note and also let him know about the forum, in case he has never seen it.

Thank you so much, obxbarb, for the information and for following up on this. Now you have me curious about the reference to the 16-year-old female on the James River Bridge.

I'm with Shawn again tomorrow, so I'll ask about her too.

Thank you, obxbarb! I'm looking forward to learning more about these peregrines.