The Latest On Mariah’s Condition
Mike Allen has sent us another update from the vets in Syracuse who are taking care of Mariah…
Mariah is improving every day. The Dr. came here yesterday and reapplied the skin glue to both her neck wound and wing wound. We measured the neck wound and it had decreased in size to 1/2″ X 1/2″. We actually measured it with a ruler. It is very scabbed over and nice new granulation tissue is growing around it. At some point we will remove the torn flap of skin on her patagium, but wanted that to heal better first.
She will continue to have small cage rest for a couple of weeks and then we will move her to an outside mew. I bought a soft, shock absorbing yoga mat and tacked it onto a 10″ wide piece of plywood and covered it with new Astroturf. We are screwing it to the top of a large perch so that she has a flat surface to stand on, since peregrines are cliff dwelling birds.
She loves the fresh quail we got her this week and she readily takes all her Baytril twice daily. She is a wonderful little patient. The doctor also looked at her eyes yesterday and found no visual impairment. We have not x-rayed her since she is showing no signs of any fractures anywhere. Legs, wings, feet etc. are working well. She cast a pellet yesterday that was as long as a lemon. We will keep you posted.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 PM
This is wonderful news!! Mariah is definately showing the strength we all knew she had. Our prayers are working 馃檪
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:10 PM
That “lemon” – sounds painful…?! anyways, eat ’em out of house and home, Mariah!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:19 PM
It sounds like Mariah’s recovery is going very well. Good new for her, not to mention her many human fans ;). Thanks again for keeping us up to date.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Long live the Queen :)))))
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Thanks for the update and the great news! It’s good to hear that she’s healing so well.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Wow….what an amazing creature. Way to to, Mariah!
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:49 PM
As one of the Queen’s loyal subjects, I’m thrilled to be able to read updates on her condition. Having worked for a veterinarian I know the care and love that goes into the treatment of our animal friends, wild and domestic. Thank you so very much for the update and keep them coming! To echo Kathy:
Long live the Queen and may she regain her rightful place as Queen of the skies in Rochester.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Strong girl she is. She is our hero.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 PM
YES! She is awsome! Long live the Queen!
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 PM
“She cast a pellet yesterday that was as long as a lemon.” Isn’t it funny when words like this make us cheer? As well we should, as it certainly sounds like she is improving in leaps and bounds. Always a good sign when we’re sick and move up to eating ‘real food’. Good for her, and many thanks to her caregivers, for their care and updates!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Great news about Mariah! What a champ! And isn’t it amazing what doctors can do to heal these wonderful creatures? I guess our excitement took a different form this year – instead of watching fluffy white babies in the nest, we have all this drama in the skies.
And wasn’t that a nice article by Mark Hare yesterday?
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 PM
That was a nice report, thank you so much. Glad to hear she is coming along so well….definitely good care, and her strong will, cuppled with God’s watchful eye.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I have been closing my eyes and taking a deep breath before I come back to Imprints. I’m thinking now I might be able to start breathing easier.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 PM
This is the most wonderful news!
April 24th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
I have been wishing PFs would return to Letchworth State Park. If Mariah can be released to the wild could that be a possible site?
April 24th, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Many thanks to all that are caring for her, she is being treated as the Queen she is !
And many thanks to all of us for the prayers and warm thoughts going her way.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:16 AM
So glad to hear that Mariah is coming along great…but then, we all know what a fighter she is! Looking forward to more great reports.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Please explain what the patagium is.
Huge thanks to you, Mike, for these updates. They mean so much!
April 24th, 2009 at 12:25 AM
She is a wondeful girl.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:50 AM
This is such good news and thanks to all who are providing such tender care for our wonderful Mariah. Continue to feel better, sweet girl, our love surrounds you.
Thank you so much to all who have made this possible — and for keeping us informed.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:19 AM
@ Kathleen Rogers: I too wondered what this was and went looking. The Canadian Peregrine Foundation has a dictionary page within their site. I think you have to visualize in your mind where they talk about, but it might clear things up a little bit.
http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/info/dictionary.html
April 24th, 2009 at 1:25 AM
GREAT TO READ THE GOOD NEWS ON MARIAH. I DO GET A LITTLE NERVOUS WHEN I GO TO IMPRINTS,TOO. I JUST ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD NEWS. SO FAR EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING OUT WELL FOR BEAUTIFUL MARIAH. HER CAREGIVERS ARE TRULY MAKING THIS HAPPEN AND SHE IS LETTING THEM. THIS AMAZES ME.
April 24th, 2009 at 2:21 AM
Geat news! So glad to hear about the improvements. How I care about our Mariah as I feel so sad for her and miss her intertaining and enduring ways. I miss her so! I can’t believe I could be so concerned.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:37 AM
This is such wonderful news! Thanks to all who are caring for our beloved Mariah. We miss her! She is the greatest!
April 24th, 2009 at 4:21 AM
pa路ta路gi路um (p-tj-m)
n. pl. pa路ta路gi路a (-j-)
1. A thin membrane extending between the body and a limb to form a wing or winglike extension, as in bats and flying squirrels.
2. An expandable membranous fold of skin between the wing and body of a bird.
April 24th, 2009 at 10:16 AM
A 1/2 inch square wound seems sizable relative to her overall size and, in particular, to the size of her neck. What was the original wound size?
What does’ she cast a pellet…’ mean? That she threw an object, threw-up an object, or is it a bird medical term?
Her yoga mat should allow her to practice the Eagle Pose in some comfort.
Thanks to all for the wonderful medical treatment that she is receiving.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:25 PM
to @ bluhawkk: Being a bird owner, I believe a “pellet” is referring to bird poop. When he said “She cast a pellet yesterday that was as long as a lemon” I believe he was speaking about the length of the poop. As long as there is some consistancy to it, it’s not wicked runny, that’s good news. That means, I believe, that she is digesting her food normally. A pellet, I don’t think, would normally be that long, but she may have been somewhat bound up from the meds and has just finally pooped. I know that I can tell immediately when one of my birds is off, not feeling well, by just looking at their poop. I know sounds gross, but since they have the freedom of the entire room they live in, you’re bound to become a target once in awhile! All in all, if she’s casting pellets, and eating well, it all sounds great. Birds are very fragile. If they stop eating or are not casting pellets, it’s grave news.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Isn’t a pellet something they regurgitate? My daughter goes to summer camp at our local zoo, and they dissect owl pellets every year. It’s a mass they regurgitate periodically that contains bones of small animals and such that they have swallowed, but can’t digest.
Still a good sign that her digestive system is working properly. I’m so thankful to hear she’s doing so well.
April 24th, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I have been following Mariah and her family for years. I, too, have held my breath when checking the blog each day since her injury. Thank you for the wonderful falcon watchers who rescued her; thank you to the great care that she received here and in Syracuse. She truly has captured the hearts and imaginations of many of us here in Rochester, but also in the world.
I agree with the blogger about Mark Hare’s article. Great article! I hope that more people become aware of the peregrines and what it being done, but more so, that people become aware of Rochester’s own Mariah the Great! Wouldn’t it be fabulous if a book of pictures could be put together documenting Mariah’s reign here for all these years? What a terrific fund raiser for the GVAS or other org that is helping the peregrines. THank you to all for allowing us access to the wonders of nature, and for keeping us informed about our beloved Mariah.
Finally, is there any more news of Quest?
April 24th, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Great news about Mariah!!!
Oh, and a “pellet” is the undigested parts of
what they have eaten….like fur/feathers/bones.
They “cough” it up, like a cat does a hairball.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Looks really promising for Mariah thanks to the expert and loving care she’s getting! Seems to me she’ll have some scar tissue over the healed wounds. Any of you bird owners know if she’ll grow feathers over these areas?
April 24th, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Great news. A big Thank You to everyone involved in her care and keeping us updated. Like so many others I have been praying for her and holding my breath before checking this site each day.
It is amazing how adaptable she has been to every situation in her life. It’s a very rare trait in all creatures including humans. I hope it is a trait that she has passed on to all of her children.
Please keep the updates coming.
April 24th, 2009 at 4:43 PM
This positive news was great to wake up to this morning. I’d like to add my wishes to Mariah’s “Get Well Card” page.
I believe there was mention made of Mariah having bumblefoot? Apparently it isn’t a severe case?
Overall, it’s amazing she is so strong and healing so well. Her caregivers’ expertise and vigilance is key.
Thanks to Mike Allen for the update.
Barbara
(Los Angeles)
April 24th, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Wonderful, wonderful news! Thank you for keeping us updated!
April 24th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Thanks again for your information, Jess and Mike!
April 25th, 2009 at 12:51 AM
This is excellent news! Enough commenting about how “old” she is already! 馃檪 I’ve been reading sites of other urban peregrines and there are reports of reproduction still going strong at 18 years of age. I also believe Buffalo had a peregrine that reached 18 years of age before being replaced?
Mariah is not ready for a retirement home! I wish people who are saying, “She should be kept safe” realize that they’re wishing the same as though I would take their adult children, lock them in a bedroom and feed them for the rest of their lives to keep them safe from murders, getting run over by cars, etc.
My mother and I were talking today. We think that Mariah was born as a free bird, and a free bird she should remain so long as she make a full recovery. I believe holding a capable Mariah in captivity is just as bad as killing her. I still also believe she should be released in Rochester after Archer leaves (if he does). Guys, we know that it would be terrible if something happens to her again and we don’t know about it this time. That’s nature! If you can’t watch it, then change the channel. Unless you believe in reincarnation, Mariah only gets once chance at life. Why anyone would want her to “be safe” for the rest of her life under someone else’s control is beyond me.
I am especially encouraged by Carol P’s message where she said that her deepest hope is to watch Mariah’s first flight after recovery. This is coming from the woman who watched Mariah fall from the sky and saved her with Brian! That speaks volumes to me as far as to what is best for Mariah!
April 25th, 2009 at 1:00 AM
I agree, if she is 100% back to normal, she should be allowed to go free, as is intended, but if not then…………
April 25th, 2009 at 3:05 AM
I can’t imagine the skies without Mariah but the sad thing is she has really lost her territory and a mate, at least this year. Releasing her to that territory might be a death sentence for her. Releasing her to another territory doesn’t assure that she will not fly back here. But who knows if this pair will remain. If Midtown comes down, that is another scrape disruption.
The good thing is she has been healing and getting wonderful care. So she has time to rest up, have some quail and recover before decisions have to be made.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:19 AM
A doublepost but interesting for anyone looking for info on falcon care. In the UAR falconry is the sport of kings, and apparently everyone else.
http://www.falconhospital.com/web/default.aspx
take the tour to see their exam room.
April 27th, 2009 at 3:51 PM
I still say that if her box hadn’t been moved in the first plce this wouldn’t have happened. We would probably already be watching the incubating of the eggs. I am very glad that Mariah will recover and bid her a very fond Adieu, we probably will never see her in Rochester again if she is even able to be released into the wild.
April 27th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
I agree that our Mariah should be released back to her habitat if she is able.
Once a Falcon has lost their territory do they try to come back or find another place?
April 27th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
@Bonnie – How can you say that Beauty would not have come and engaged in a territory battle if Mariah’s nest box hadn’t been moved? The two appear unrelated to me.
April 27th, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Bonnie was just expressing an opinion. Please let’s not impose groupthink tactics here.
April 27th, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Thank you for keeping us all up-to-date of Mariah’s recovery! I am delighted that she is doing well! I hope she will recover fully, so that she can be released into the wild where she belongs. Where that “wild” should be is, of course, another matter. She lost not only her long-time partner but also her long-time home at the same time. And then being attacked by Beauty (or whatever her name will be) was an outrage, especially when she was counting on — as it turned out — a fickle suitor to start a family with. One thing is for certain, if it had not been for the guardian angels who saved Mariah and the doctors and other caregivers who have been caring for her since then, we would be writing obituaries for Mariah. Thank you! If Mariah is released into the wild somewhere far away from Rochester, which is her home, will she not come back? And if she attempts to settle somewhere else, will she not end up encroaching on somebody else’s territory? And who knows what the outcome will be then. I hope she will have found another Kaver by then … Whatever will be will be, I guess, but I strongly believe that Mariah should not be released until and unless she is 150% recovered from her injuries, so that she will have a fighting chance wherever she will go. The very thought of Mariah in a zoo hurts my heart, unless it becomes crystal clear that she will not have a fighting chance of surviving in the wild.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Chrissy,
And Kris is just expressing an opinion. My, we are all getting a bit touchy here. Peace, please.
April 28th, 2009 at 1:31 AM
@Bonnie in Ridgecrest- There’s no causal relationship between moving the nest box and Mariah’s defeat. Last year she was challenged for her territory by another female at the Kodak scrape. These challenges are due to the increase in the population of Peregrines in the eastern US and North America in general.
Everyone became very attached to Mariah over the years, so this all seems quite a shock, but in reality this displacement is good news for the Peregrine species. It means that there are more strong capable females around than there used to be, and that means more strong offspring.
To everyone, let’s remember to be kind. We’re all here to enjoy the falcons. Getting upset at each other doesn’t contribute anything useful to the discussion. My advice is if you see a comment that rubs you the wrong way, ignore it.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Did Kaver come and then leave when he saw the nest box no longer there? If Kaver had been there to cover Mariah’s back, would Mariah still be in control? Did the box relocation and Kaver not there cause Mariah enough stress and disorientation contributing to her defeat?
While there may be no evident relationship between moving the nest box and Mariah鈥檚 defeat, these will remain unanswered questions.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I think the watchers who were keeping an eye out for Kaver since late winter would have noticed if he had shown up. He would probably not have been immediately discouraged by the netting as Mariah was not. She stayed in her territory even if the nest box was no longer available, and so would have Kaver, if he had returned. But just as his predecessor Cabot-Sirocco (the original cutie-patootie), he did not return and Mariah was in the market for a new partner (she tried out two that we knew and if the first had not met an untimely end, the season would also have been quite different) as well as a new scrape. This happens all the time in the wild and no one is there to comment.
Stress is the way of life in the bird world. Quest, to our eyes living it up on the Cape, is certainly under daily stress to find and catch prey, avoid hazards (mostly man-made like cars, glass windows, powerlines and airplanes) and find a good, uncontested place to spend the night.
While Mariah was much put out that the Kodak tower was unavailable, falcons are flexible and she had any number of other choices available to her. Disorientation is not a word I would use in connection with Mariah’s situation in her home territory.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:19 PM
@bluhawkk- As Alison noted there’s no evidence to suggest that Kaver returned at all this year. His normal return time around the first week of March was well staffed by our volunteer watchers. But even putting that aside, there’s no reason that seeing the netting around the Kodak tower would have made him turn around. Mariah wasn’t discouraged by it, and Kaver was as devoted to the territory as she was; it’s what made him keep returning year after year.
All the many unanswered questions will likely have to remain that way, much as we would wish for more certainty.
April 30th, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Do we have any further updates about Mariah’s condition? Its been days since the last one was posted.
We also haven’t gotten many updates about Beauty. Has she layed eggs anywhere? And what about zypher and his mate at the old RPC building? I’d love to hear any news available.