Châteauneuf. The falcon chicks filmed live are ready to take off: "A critical period because they lack physical condition"

On February 18th, Diane, the female peregrine falcon, in a relationship with a new male since last year, laid her first egg, followed by two more and a final one on February 28th. After an incubation period of approximately thirty-two days, the first falcon hatched on April 1st.

Since then, the four little ones have grown a lot . As the days go by, their white down gives way to white-grey-brown feathers. "Once their plumage is completely changed, they will be able to take their first flight," announces Jean-Pascal Faverjon, a volunteer ornithologist with the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds).

As for the sexes of the four newborns, we can almost predict: two males and two females, given their size at one month. "Males and females do indeed have a significant difference in size. The males are a third smaller than the females."

As for knowing the day of their first flight, Internet users who follow the life of the little family live, thanks to the webcam, installed in 2007 on the artificial nest box, located 80 m high on the emblematic Marrel chimney of the Arcelor Mittal Industeel factory, must remain vigilant.

D-day should not be long in coming, according to Jean-Pascal Faverjon. "The period between hatching and flight is more random and is between 37 and 52 days according to our observations."

For now, the falcons are hovering, spreading their wings. "This period is quite critical for the young. Here, they launch themselves from 80 meters high while lacking precision and physical condition. They can break their bones by hitting obstacles. Note that the young have larger feathers than the adults to compensate for this inexperience."

Regularly supplied by both parents, taking turns, the chicks have grown up well. Nature being kind, the young peregrine falcons are born just when prey becomes more abundant, particularly with the return of migratory birds. Just a few more days to wait before seeing them take off from their platform!

The footage is available 24 hours a day on YouTube, "Direct Pèlerin Châteauneuf." You can watch it live and even go back 12 hours.