Falcon hits Caribou (Coffee)

It was a bumpy first flight for one of the peregrine falcon chicks born in the box on top of Red Wing Grain last month.

Red Wing Police received a report Monday afternoon that a falcon chick had flown into Caribou Coffee’s lighted sign and was on the ground near Main Street.

“This happens a lot,” said Bob Anderson, executive director of Raptor Resource. “A lot of times falcons end up on the ground for a day or two.”

Because the bird was so close to the highway, a police officer brought the falcon to the Goodhue County Humane Society. After being checked out by Raptor Resource staff, it was determined that the chick wasn’t hurt in her misguided flight.

She has since been placed back in her nesting box.

“The baby is back up on the roof and everything’s fine,” Anderson said.

Because the babies are learning to fly, this probably won’t be the last incident of a falcon chick on the ground.

“Almost all birds will end up on the ground on their first flight,” he said.

The best thing to do, Anderson added, is to leave them alone. Usually, their parents are nearby and are able to feed them. However, if the bird is in a busy area — like the Caribou Coffee parking lot — it might need a little help.

Anderson said grounded chicks should be herded to a quieter area, such as a park or river bank, if possible.

“Grab it only if the bird is in trouble,” Anderson said, adding that they should be placed in a smooth-sided box and taken to a humane society or wildlife center.

Four peregrine falcon chicks were hatched at the beginning of May in the specially made box installed at the top of Red Wing Grain. A web cam has allowed Red Wing residents — and people all over the world — to watch as the babies hatched and grew their feathers.

Tags: red wing, news, environment, minnesota