Grounded peregrine falcon chick flies high after RSPCA rescue

Jean Thorpe at the Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre had been caring for the chick which has now been released in the wild.

The female bird was initially taken to an animal hospital in Hull who then called the RSPCA for help.

When RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Leanne Honess-Heather arrived at the hospital and took a peek inside the box she got quite a surprise!

Leanne said: “I was expecting a sparrow hawk, which is a smallish bird, but I was surprised to see a pretty massive peregrine falcon!

“When I took her to bird of prey expert Jean Thorpe we discovered that she weighed a hefty 865 grams, despite only being around three months old.

“It’s hard to imagine that such a big bird – more than one foot tall with around a two foot wingspan – could still be just a fledgeling!

“Despite her ordeal, this young female was in great condition. She spent a couple of days under observation, and filling herself up with food. Jean then ringed her for future identification and released her after a couple of days.

“There are a number of Peregrine Falcon nests on pylons near the River Hull. It was blowing a gale the day she was found, so we suspect she got blown off course from one of the nests. Just like robins and blackbirds, young peregrine falcons fledge from the nest and can sometimes become grounded in awkward spots like this one.

“I’d like to thank the member of public for spotting this young Peregrine Falcon in the nick of time and to Jean Thorpe for taking her in to be rehabilitated before releasing her back into the wild.

“With young birds, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether to leave well alone or to admit them for further care, but I am pleased that there was a happy ending for this beautiful bird.”

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