Today I received a message from a concerned citizen, I am not saying who but this person brought up some good questions that maybe someone can or try to answer. Thank you!
I am confused about the idea that Beauty was fought by Unity. Did anyone see the fight? Are her wounds consistent with a fight? How is it that Beauty nearly killed Mariah and beat her up badly and yet this experienced fighter loses to a bird nearly her same age. Is Unity showing any signs of the fight? Is it possible Beauty fought with owl or eagle rather than Unity? Was there any reports of Beauty showing signs of her fight with Mariah back 3 years ago? I am really finding it hard to believe Unity and Beauty fought.
Any takers?
Did anyone see the fight? - Last Sunday Brian H witnessed aggression between Beauty and another female Peregrine Falcon. I have not heard that anyone witnessed a fight on Friday, the day Beauty was found on the ground.
Are her wounds consistent with a fight? - No one, except the vet and rehabber, have examined her wounds, so I cannot answer that one.
How is it that Beauty nearly killed Mariah and beat her up badly and yet this experienced fighter loses to a bird nearly her same age? - When Beauty fought Mariah, she had help from Archer. The day Brian H and I found her, both Beauty and Archer were attacking her. Every time Mariah tried to fly away, they knocked her down, until we were able to rescue her.
Is Unity showing any signs of the fight? I watched her very closely through the scope while she ate on the roof on Saturday. I could see no outward evidence of any injuries, but that doesn't mean there aren't any hidden injuries beneath her feathers. She seems to be ok.
Is it possible Beauty fought with owl or eagle rather than Unity? - Anything is possible, but we know that Brian H witnessed her fighting with another female the weekend before and now there is a new female on territory.
Was there any reports of Beauty showing signs of her fight with Mariah back 3 years ago? - No, Beauty did not appear to be injured at that time. But again, it is impossible to see injuries covered by their feathers.
I am really finding it hard to believe Unity and Beauty fought. - Although we cannot be 100% sure (until we positively ID this bird) that Unity is the new female downtown, we know for sure that both Beauty and Unity were seen fighting on the Kodak Tower last year. A security guard was able to get some pretty intense pictures of the fight. Also, Kathy O and I saw Beauty at Kodak Park with Archer, checking out the nest site. Thankfully Unity was not there at the time. So they were definitely aware of each other.
These are all very good questions. To whoever asked these questions through Donna, thanks. It really helps to piece together what happened leading up to Beauty's going to rehab. It helps to understand what may have happened.