Photo 1

Dan Boritt, a biologist at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, feeds the first pygmy falcon chick hatched at the Zoo since 2000. The chick was born on Jan. 16 and weighs about 1.5 ounces. When the bird is fully grown, it is only expected to weigh between 1.9 to 2.5 ounces. Keepers do not yet know whether the chick is male or female. In the wild, pygmy falcons are found in eastern and southern Africa, where they breed in the nests of other bird species. Females are typically larger and more colorful than males, with reddish-brown feathers on their backs. Zoo visitors will be able to see the chick and its parents on exhibit by early next month.

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Date: Feb. 1, 2008

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Photo 2

The first pygmy falcon chick hatched at Smithsonian’s National Zoo since 2000 gets a weigh-in. The chick, which was born on Jan. 16, now weighs about 1.5 ounces, and is expected to weigh anywhere from 1.9 to 2.5 ounces once it is fully grown. It is not yet known whether the bird is male or female. Zookeepers are letting the chick’s parents raise it with as little human help as possible. The goal is to prevent the bird from becoming confused about who its parents are, as well as to improve its chances of breeding as an adult. Zoo visitors will be able to see the chick and its parents on exhibit by early March. Pygmy falcons are native to eastern and southern Africa.

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Date: Feb. 1, 2008

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