Brooding and Turning the Eggs
Brooding appears to be well under way now. Since April 5, Mariah and Kaver have been sitting on the eggs almost full time. Unless Mariah has another “106 hour egg” waiting in the wings it seems that we have another 5-egg clutch. Based on what we’re seeing, we think hatching should take place sometime around Mother’s Day, a most appropriate time!
Last year we talked about incubation, so now is probably a good time to go back and read that article if you’ve forgotten about the process. In that article we mentioned the fact that Mariah and Kaver have to turn the eggs so that they get evenly heated. This is very important for proper development of the growing eyas. The pictures at the left demonstrate how the falcons turn the eggs. It’s a delicate process that Mariah and Kaver approach with a gentleness and dexterity that can be surprising to witness.
Sometimes we hear from viewers who think they’ve seen an egg with a crack in it. The mottled pattern of the eggs, tricks of light in the nest box, and the image quality from the cameras can all contribute to what look like cracked eggs sometimes. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind if you think you see a crack in the egg. First, Mariah and Kaver have never accidentally cracked an egg as far as we know, so while it’s possible, they’re usually pretty good about protecting the eggs as they turn and brood them. Second, hatching begins with a hole being poked in the egg by the emerging eyas. The inside of a falcon’s egg is white, so if you think you see a crack in the egg, look for white behind it. Of course we’ll keep a sharp eye on the eggs and the falcons, and we’ll bring you any news as soon as we learn of it.
-Jess
April 9th, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Thats cool thanks for the info! Mabe Mariah will have another egg but if she doesnt thats cool to!
April 10th, 2008 at 12:25 AM
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INFO ABOUT THE BROODING PROCESS. I AM TRULY EGGCITED ABOUT THIS AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HATCHING. SUCH GOOD PARENTS, THE GENTLNESS IS TRULY AMAZING.WHERE ELSE WOULD I BE A WITNESS TO SUCH A WONDERFUL HAPPENING..THANK YOU AGAIN.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Thanks for imprints. Have been a visitor to your site for years but imprints only improves the excellence.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:26 PM
I’ve been watching the falcons for years and am totally hooked. Thanks so much for all the info. Last year was awesome and this year is even better! Is there any family tree showing all Mariah’s offspring and where they are now?
April 10th, 2008 at 1:06 PM
this is so cool its not every day you get to see a falcon and its eggs!
April 10th, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Wow! The pics of the adults turning the eggs show just how BIG those feet are!
April 10th, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Is there something wrong with Mariahs one eye? She has kept it closed for some time now and I also noticed some feathers that look a little out of place on her one wing. I hope she is ok.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:47 PM
CJ, I was asking the same thing, about a family tree, from another day, the one about Rhea Mae and how she’s Mariah’s daugh ter.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:01 PM
I’m noticing that Kaver is protecting his lady and their babies by staying perched outside the nestbox. He’s been there a while. Again, I’m spending too much time watching this family and not working! Ha Ha!
April 10th, 2008 at 7:00 PM
CJ AND DENISE, Above the main camara site is an, icon of a falcon soaring, click on this and history will come up. Below this is the family treee.
Jess thanks for the great updates, this site is fantastic!
April 11th, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Mariah looks a bit ruffled this morning. I sure hope it is just from the weather and not another encounter with another falcon. I surely wouldn’t want anything to happen to her especially at this stage. I have also noticed that Kaver has been spending a lot of time standing guard over his family. What a great family they are too.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I have noticed that there is often one egg that is not being incubated, but is visible next to – I think it is Kaver. Is this cause for concern?
April 11th, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I noticed that too Nancy. I think that is Kaver and he is smaller then Mariah so that could be why the one egg isnt covered. At least he is trying.
LOL 🙂
April 11th, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Jess, I noticed this morning 4/11 that Mariah has left one egg out from under neath her??? She has done this for the past half hour. Is she saying this one is not going to make it? If this is the unfortunate case, what will happen to it?
DEB
April 11th, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Come on Kaver, spread those wings and cover that egg. Gee I hope it’s not the same egg as yesterday.
I love the pictures of Mariah turning the eggs!
April 11th, 2008 at 5:45 PM
In the picture with both parents, one brooding and one hovering, which is Kaver and which is Mariah?. I am so enjoying my third year of “hovering” around the faithful couple. Thay are so amazing ,I feel honored to be able to watch. Thank you for the imprints that keep us educated about the whole process.
June
April 11th, 2008 at 6:04 PM
June, I think the one brooding is Kaver and Mariah is the one hovering. He seems to like to rest too, now and then. :). Thanks Jess for all the great information you give us in imprints. June, I too feel honored to be able to watch these spectacular birds.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I noticed the same thing that worried Jennifer in her post on April 10. Mariah seems to have her left eye closed quite a bit. Is she okay?
April 21st, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Just after noon(12:28 actually) and feeling a little nervous watching from Cape Cod. Kaver is definitely having trouble covering those eggs. Just how much danger are they in when he is doing such a poor job?
April 26th, 2008 at 4:40 AM
Is it just me or does it seem like Mariah has lost an eye..over past few days she just sometimes seems to have only one eye…
April 28th, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I think the main camera is stuck on an old picture…as it doesn’t match any of the 4-way views.. In fact.. Mariah looks ruffled this morning around her head.. wonder what’s going on with her…?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Did anyone find any answers on Mariah’s eye??
May 5th, 2008 at 4:19 PM
@Karen- Mariah’s eyes are just fine. No need to worry.