Yes, those were magpies in that commercial. But back to falcons: I enjoy watching peregrines. They’re the consummate killing machine, and all the other birds know it. I once watched one come from way on high to knock a ring-billed gull out of the sky. It tried to outmaneuver the falcon, but it was pretty much hopeless.
And as for the falcon death, it probably struck a window. It happens all the time, but there’s not a thing we can do about it. I hope the other two chicks survive though.
In Mt. clemens MI which is near to me, there is a pair who now have 2 chicks in a nest somewhere on the Macomb County Courthouse building.......
I guess last year the then pair had 2 eggs which never hatched. This year a new male came along and drove off the other male who headed back into Detroit and the new male was successful (I guess) in producing the eggs which resulted in the chicks.......
On another note, Stoney Creek Park which is N.W. of me has tried unsuccessfully over the past few years in cultivating an Osprey population. For several years they have acquired an Osprey chick and placed it in a man made nest only to have the bird fly south when grown and not return the following season.
I think it was last year that I talked to the nature center about their program and they said the funding was only temporary and since the last bird never returned, the funding was being terminated.........