Bird Cams Around the World

Wow..

This was posted by Lori Michel on the SJ Yahoo Forum:

"At about 4:45 pm Clara launched off the east ledge, quickly gaining altitude about 200 ft above the NE corner of SJ City Hall. I saw another Falcon coming in and thought "prey transfer"--I watched, anticipating the graceful "touch and go" engagement of a food transfer. Instead, the two birds abruptly locked talons and began a downward spiral that continued down to the SE corner of CH at about the 10 th floor level--Clara was defending her territory from an intruding Falcon. The intruder was visibly larger than Clara, but definitely a PEFA. When they reached the 10 th floor level of CH, they disengaged, and Clara began a wing pumping chase of the interloper due south. I watched Clara come close to 'catching' the Falcon several times until they disappeared from sight behind the MLK library. I held my breath, waiting to see which Falcon prevailed....about 30 seconds elapsed and I saw a Falcon coming towards CH--Clara landed on the SW corner of the nest ledge--her wings were drooping, she was panting, and physically spent, but victorious and thankfully, uninjured.
I've been watching this nest site for the last 5 years and have seen Clara and her mates chase off various intruders from juvie PEFAs to Prairie Falcons to Red Tails to Turkey Vultures, this is the first time I've seen this kind of intense, violent, territorial FIGHT where Clara faced off with an opponent who clearly covets this bountiful territory of downtown SJ. One wonders how often these encounters have happened with our SJ pair and no one was there to observe and witness.......
The experience reminded me that these ARE wild creatures, though we give them names and naturally become attached to them, they live day to day, on alert for their lives and the lives of their mates and offspring. It was a sobering reminder that the dynamics of this nest site could change in a moments notice--although I'm an optimist, the future is promised to no one--not to Clara, not to EC, and not to any of us "boots on the ground" ...."

I wonder if this intruder has been around a few days and just tried to make an attempt, or if they just floated in and decided to engage the resident? I don't know very much about how this part works. I have always thought there were warning signs. I guess part of the missing puzzle piece might be the fact we don't have audio. If we could hear alarm calls being made, maybe we'd know if there were issues going on.

Glad all turned out okay for Clara and the intruder.

Oh my, what a close call. Thanks for posting mwplay. These intruder invasions always worry me, but especially when there are little chicks who depend on both their parents.

This morning no cares for them



These two were picking up scraps, and taking them away from each other, although they look innocent in this picture.

Going to the other end now.

Getting a little restless I think.

Wow, that's a pretty exciting story. I don't think competitors linger over days, but a drive by that can go very wrong. I've seen a few bird battles recently, and can't imagine what a falcon battle would be like. Fortunately Clara was obviously queen for the day, despite the disadvantage in size. I agree ljames...they are worrisome when they happen with chicks on the ground. Hopefully the intruder is scared away.

Preparing dinner.





Parent, Clara I assume is having a hard time keeping that prey under control. They keep stealing it.


OMG, too funny. EC brings in an additional pretty small prey. (The one Clara brought was pretty big)
Nevertheless, one little chick ran over and grabbed it, and was like, thanks dad.

Thanks for the pics Ljames.

I watched that feed and laughed. It was like each kid took their turn tug of warring with Mom.

Then when EC arrived with that little tidbit. Funny. He was like, "here's my contribution".

Here's what I think went down. Parent, Clara , preparing prey or eating. Suddenly they dive off, and I was thinking, oh they saw better prey. She arrives at the nest wall, where EC already is with prey. She runs over and grabs it from him and drops down to the runway to feed the chicks, who of course do their part by grabbing, running, etc.

It could have been EC up there preparing the prey and then just brought it to the wall. But there appeared to be some fussing and maybe scolding going on. Whatever food was on the parapet, was left there in her haste to get to the nest ledge.

Thanks mwplay for that information. They are good names.

Hiko & Haya update:

Shirley Doell reports:

"Today was banding day on the Fruitvale Bridge. Two girls, (52/C & 51/R) and a boy (57/P) were found to be healthy and feisty at 23 days old. Hiko and Haya defended their nest vigorously and also treated the onlookers to some spectacular flights at gulls and a redtailed hawk that strayed too close to the bridge. Many thanks to Glenn Stewart, who banded the kids and Ken and the crew from Alameda Co. Drawbridges who are such wonderful hosts for the Hs. "

What great names and its great to hear that parents were so defensive also wonderful to hear all chicks are healthy little falcons
Thanks for the report mwplay

Good names for the SJ kids & glad Hiko & Haya's nesting is going so well!

From last night, didn't get a chance to post. Just thought they looked so cute. Glad to hear the good news about Hiko and his family.

That is a cute picture--thanks, ljames!

Ahote on the drain, Unita beside it.

That "drain" picture is also very cute!

Totally funny. One chick is standing on the prey, bt the one from behind is pulling the prey and the chick on top.

They have had a nice meal this morning



I think Unita is the last one standing.



Boy they get a little crazy after they eat sometimes. I think they've all headed down to the other end now to the low wall. That runway is just the thing.