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What’s Happening at the Nest?
As evidenced by the presence of eggshells in the nest box, we can confirm that the first chicks have hatched. Pipping (the formation of hatching-related cracks on the eggshell) started yesterday, with the first chick hatching at approximately 7:34 AM on 4/24. This chick was soon followed by a sibling who emerged from its egg roughly two hours later at 9:37 AM. Newly hatched falcon chicks weigh approximately 30–40 grams (1.25 ounces) and are unable to fully thermoregulate (maintain core body temperature) for the first two weeks of life. This means the parents will continue to spend time on the nest “brooding” the chicks after they hatch.
Check back later for more hatching updates!
The first chick to hatch, seen for a few seconds, prior to being re-positioned back under the brooding female.
At this point, if a fifth egg was to be laid it would have happened by now which makes 2024 the fifth year in a row that 95/AK has laid a clutch of four eggs! Now that egg laying is complete, we can begin looking forward to the hatching of the chicks, which we estimate will begin sometime between April 24th and 26th. Until that time, expect to see both male and female on camera nearly continuously as they incubate the eggs.
Falcon pair during an incubation exchange. The clutch of three eggs is visible behind the adult female (right) as she prepares to depart.
First Egg: The first egg of 2024 was laid by the female (95/AK) sometime in the pre-sunrise hours of Monday, 3/18.
Second Egg: The second egg was laid at approximately 9:37 AM on Wednesday, 3/20
Third Egg: The third egg was laid at approximately 4:24 PM on Friday, 3/22
Fourth Egg: The fourth egg was laid at 4:15 AM on Monday, 3/25
Peregrine Falcon clutches average 3-4 eggs in size, but five-egg clutches are laid occasionally. If a fifth egg is to be laid, we can expect to see its arrival sometime between 3/27th and 3/28th. So, be sure to tune in then!
During this time, viewers may notice that the eggs are periodically left uncovered. This behavior is normal for peregrine falcons as incubation often does not begin until the second to last egg is laid. By delaying the start of incubation, the eggs will hatch closer together resulting in the chicks developing at roughly the same pace.
We will continue to update this post in the coming days with additional information as more eggs are laid.
- Read more updates in the archive…
Internet service to the Falcon Cam provided courtesy of Comcast Business.
The DWR Falcon Cam follows the breeding season of a peregrine falcon pair that nests in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The nest box is located atop the Riverfront Plaza building. If you’re in the area, look up! You may catch a glimpse of the famous birds! We hope each year that the pair will once again choose to nest at this site, so that our camera may provide an educational experience for all to enjoy.