Attempted Retrieval
This adult female Peregrine is trying to retrieve a dead pigeon from the canal; seconds ago one of the three juveniles, who had the pigeon, lost her grip and dropped the pigeon in water while flying over the canal. The juvenile didn't know what to do other than circling over when the mother came along and tried three times to pick the pigeon up from the water. She managed to lift up the pigeon once but lost it soon afterwards. Either she didn't have a good grip due to choppy water or the pigeon became too heavy from absorbing water in its feathers. I am sure that the mother Peregrine gave a stern lecture to the youngster afterwards. Note that the day before she did retrieve a live pigeon from water that she stunned by dive bombing it. Most often it is the female that could kill and carry a large prey such as a pigeon. I haven't seen a male doing it yet. Burlington, Ontario.
Attempted Retrieval
This adult female Peregrine is trying to retrieve a dead pigeon from the canal; seconds ago one of the three juveniles, who had the pigeon, lost her grip and dropped the pigeon in water while flying over the canal. The juvenile didn't know what to do other than circling over when the mother came along and tried three times to pick the pigeon up from the water. She managed to lift up the pigeon once but lost it soon afterwards. Either she didn't have a good grip due to choppy water or the pigeon became too heavy from absorbing water in its feathers. I am sure that the mother Peregrine gave a stern lecture to the youngster afterwards. Note that the day before she did retrieve a live pigeon from water that she stunned by dive bombing it. Most often it is the female that could kill and carry a large prey such as a pigeon. I haven't seen a male doing it yet. Burlington, Ontario.