By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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DURAND — A young peregrine falcon rescued by Hoo Haven after suffering an injury last year will become a teacher this summer. Or at least a way for people to learn about the once-endangered bird.
Hoo Haven plans to integrate Hope, a falcon that hatched in Rockford nearly a year ago, into its educational programs, bringing the city’s official bird on visits to schools, fairs and other events where the nonprofit can “bring the field trip to you.”
Hope was injured in August after flying into a local factory. It will become one of Hoo Haven’s ambassador birds, helping children and adults learn about the fastest bird of prey on the planet. Karen Herdklotz, who runs Hoo Haven, said the programs are also designed to teach the importance of nature conservation.
“I don’t think it matters if it’s a peregrine, a hawk, an owl, an eagle: I want the people to have a connection as to why I want them to be conservation-minded,” Herdklotz said.
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Hope hatched last May outside the eighth floor of the Iconic Energy building, which is the former Rockford Register Star in downtown. It’s not clear how she was injured, but Herdklotz estimates that the falcon chased a pigeon or other prey into the factory and missed a dive to grab its meal.
It injured ligaments in its wing and its right foot and leg. Although the leg injuries have healed, her wing is still damaged. Hope can no longer fly far enough to fend for herself in the wild. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service gave Hoo Haven approval to incorporate Hope into educational programs.
“Sometimes it’s better if you break something, and nothing was broken,” Herdklotz said. But the ligament injuries were severe.
“You could tell she was kind of dazed,” Herdklotz said. “You just feel bad for them.”
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Learning to hunt is precarious for peregrines, which were once endangered. The bird of prey has a roughly 60% mortality rate in its first year of life, according to Jennifer Kuroda, president of the Sinnissippi Audubon Society.
“It’s challenging: There are telephone wires, buildings, windows, there are cars,” Kuroda said. “It’s not just that. If they’re not a good hunter; they’re not eating well; they could get in fights with other peregrines.”
Hope is illustrative of just how dangerous the world is for young peregrines. She’s the only bird from a clutch of five eggs laid in Rockford last year whose whereabouts are known. Three of those eggs hatched last year and were banded by the Sinnissippi Audubon Society. Jane was found dead last year near the Rockford airport. A male named Simon hasn’t been spotted anywhere to date.
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There are five new eggs atop the Iconic tower this year that were laid between March 23 and April 2. It’s the third time that peregrines Louse and Brian, the only known breeding pair in Winnebago County, have nested together in the city. Louise initially came to Rockford in 2018 with a different mate, and they were the first breeding pair ever tracked in the city.
This is the sixth year Louise has nested atop the former News Tower.
“That speaks to what a good bird Louise is because she’s lived this great life,” Kuroda said. “She’s a strong, healthy, aggressive, territorial bird. She’s a good peregrine falcon.”
About | Hoo Haven
About: Hoo Haven is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. It cares for everything from bobcats to pelicans, and it has built a reputation for its work with birds of prey. In addition to rehabilitation, Hoo Haven operates roughly 150 education programs each year.
Where: 10823 Cleveland Road, Durand
On the web: hoohaven.org
Donate: hoohaven.org/helpingus
Watch the falcons in Rockford
You can watch the Sinnissippi Audubon Society’s Nest Cam atop the Iconic Energy building to see Louise and Brian and their five eggs here.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas