NE / Omaha - Woodmen Tower - 2022 / ? & ?

[The Peregrine Chick]

Ah, that's a thought ... Cdn Phanatics are so scary after all 🤣

[GCG]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TFcYtjLhSA

[RCF]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TFcYtjLhSA

That's the link for the North Omaha camera, Louis and Clark are nesting here. 

It's the Woodman Life link that doesn't work for us.  https://www.woodmenlife.org/falcons/

[The Peregrine Chick]

Omaha peregrine falcon tests positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

The peregrine falcon that died in a nest box on the WoodmenLife Tower in downtown Omaha tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

The adult female falcon, named Chayton, died April 18 after being observed, via WoodmenLife’s webcam, behaving oddly. The online webcam provides a live public view of the nest box.

The falcon was retrieved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and HPAI testing was performed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds and has been detected in both domestic poultry and wild birds. Among wild birds, waterfowl and other waterbirds appear more susceptible to HPAI than other species.

Peregrine falcons’ diet consists mostly of other birds, and the species routinely preys upon ducks, shorebirds and other waterbirds. The deceased falcon may have been exposed to HPAI from its prey.

In addition to the peregrine falcon, HPAI has been detected in the following wild birds in Nebraska during this outbreak: several geese, a swan, two bald eagles and an American white pelican.

Sightings of sick or dead wild birds should be reported to your nearest Game and Parks office; find a location at OutdoorNebraska.org/Locations. For domestic bird illness or unusual death, report to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-2351 and the USDA at 866-536-7593.

Find additional information about avian influenza at OutdoorNebraska.org/AI.
-30-

source: http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2022/04/omaha-peregrine-falcon-tests-positive-for-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/

[carly]

Had a feeling that was the case and I wonder now if they shouldn't have assumed Beauty died of old age, she was fine a week earlier.  Wouldn't have hurt to test for it just in case. 

thanks for sharing the results Carolyn, very much appreciated.

[RCF]

Had a feeling that was the case and I wonder now if they shouldn't have assumed Beauty died of old age, she was fine a week earlier.  Wouldn't have hurt to test for it just in case. 

thanks for sharing the results Carolyn, very much appreciated.

Beauty seemed to act the same before she died. Sad!

[The Peregrine Chick]

Had a feeling that was the case and I wonder now if they shouldn't have assumed Beauty died of old age, she was fine a week earlier.  Wouldn't have hurt to test for it just in case. 

thanks for sharing the results Carolyn, very much appreciated.

It could well be but given that there was a younger female in the nestbox the day after Beauty died and who now is incubating 4 eggs, a territorial fight has to be considered a possibility.  Not sure which would be preferable ... neither is pleasant ...

[carly]

The new female was north of the site at the other location - there is always one there hanging out.  I expect she came in because he kept calling and calling for Beauty but she never responded as she seemed to be in a sort of trance for hours.  It was the weirdest thing.

Beauty was a strong female, she has had her share of battles for sure but it was the way she died TPC..it was similar to Chayton.  She didn't even go into the nest box, she just stood outside facing the nest box - literally right in front of it for hours as if she was a statue...and when she passed she was still standing up with her wings out.

You may be right but I'd feel better if she was tested to say for sure. 

[The Peregrine Chick]

You may be right but I'd feel better if she was tested to say for sure.

It would certain put a lot questions to rest ... do we know if they had any plans to test her for HPAI or conduct a necropsy?

[carly]

You may be right but I'd feel better if she was tested to say for sure.

It would certain put a lot questions to rest ... do we know if they had any plans to test her for HPAI or conduct a necropsy?

They local authorities picked up her body so I expect they will. I haven't heard anything 'official' yet but given how it's spreading everywhere, I would expect them to do it.