Photo report: the Red Data Book falcons of the nursery of rare birds of Altai State University "Altai Falcon" began laying eggs

Scientists from Altai State University are working to restore the population of birds of prey, Saker Falcons, as part of the Priority 2030 Program. In 2020, on the basis of the university, the Zoological Center of the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology was created, one of the tasks of which is the conservation of biodiversity. To date, the nursery of the laboratory has three aviary complexes for keeping birds, where more than 40 breeding pairs of saker falcons are placed.

Now one of the most crucial periods has begun in the nursery - egg laying, for which scientists have been preparing throughout the year. On March 6, the first pair of red-listed saker falcons laid an egg. At the time of our visit to the laboratory, there were only four eggs in the incubator from the “earliest” pair of this year. Typically, falcons start laying by the middle of the month - last year the first egg appeared on March 13th. In wild nature, falcons typically lay between four or five eggs, maximum six. One every two or three days. In captivity, birds can lay up to 10 eggs. To do this, experts use the method of extending the laying cycle. It is important to get as many chicks as possible to restore the Saker Falcon population, which, according to the latest estimates, accounts for no more than 20 pairs remain in the wild in Altai Krai.

“Every day, the staff of the nursery check the aviaries and remove the laid eggs from the nests, which stimulates the bird to lay new ones. After the ninth egg, chicken eggs begin to be laid in the nests. This is important so that the bird does not abandon its nest. When the female falcon completes the laying and hatches "laid" eggs, we begin the countdown of days in order to guess and plant the chicks that we have already hatched and bred into the nests in time. Using the technology of incubation, we try to get as close as possible to the natural process, because all the best has already been invented by nature,” said Lydia Mendel, Head of the laboratory of the nursery.

The “fake mother” of falcons tries to follow this principle in everything. Each egg needs an individual approach. Immediately after being removed from the nest, the eggs are sent for storage in a special box, where the temperature is maintained, which prevents the fertilized egg - the zygote from developing ahead of time. When the required number of eggs is collected, they are laid in an incubator - approximately every five days.

“This is what happens in wild nature. The female does not hatch the clutch from the first egg, but waits for all of them to appear, and only then begins the process of incubation. This is necessary so that all the chicks hatch at the same time - so they will have a better chance of survival. After all, if there were chicks of different ages in the same nest, then the older ones would not let the younger ones eat,” says Lydia.

The incubation period lasts 34-36 days. This is a complex and time-consuming process, where there is no room for error. The most critical are the first five to ten days. In nature, these days, birds do not leave the nest for a minute - if necessary, the male replaces the female on the clutch in seconds. The incubators also maintain the desired temperature and humidity level. Before laying eggs in them, the devices get calibrated. Lidia regularly measures the temperature in different parts of the incubator and even at its different levels with a special thermometer, because the machine can go wrong!

“If we had video cameras placed in the enclosures it would help us a lot in our work, so that we could see the behavior of the birds in the nests and bring the incubation conditions as close as possible to natural ones. Unfortunately, there is little information on this topic, and much has to be done intuitively,” notes the biotechnologist.

Once hatched, the chicks are moved to larger incubators, and a difficult feeding period begins. Newborn falcons weigh 16-23 grams. The task of specialists is to "grow" them up to 60 grams in order to put them back into the nest with the birds. Babies receive scheduled feeding of minced chicken, quail and rabbit, combining its components, taking into account the physiological needs of rapidly growing falcons, for which they are regularly weighed. It is important to return them to their parents no later than 15 days from the date of hatching. The fact is that from the 15th to the 25th day of life, the process of imprinting occurs. The chick begins to study the world around it and imprints on the one who feeds it. If it is a human, then the chick will consider him a representative of its species. Such birds are called imprinted. In the future, they will not reproduce on their own and are only suitable for artificial insemination, for selection and breeding work.

Last year the specialists of the nursery received about 200 Saker falcon eggs. We do not make plans for this year - it will be as it should be. The protracted, cold and snowy spring is disturbing. All conditions are created for breeding - they are relocated to spacious aviaries, and receive enhanced nutrition. This year, the specialists of the nursery place great hopes on young couples grown after the establishment of the Zoological Center.

“One male won’t manage to interest the female in any way, she does not let him near her. An important courtship moment is when the male feeds the female. So, he shows her what a good earner he is. We help him with this - during feeding we put less food on their table so that the female does not have the opportunity to take it. The male takes food and carries it to his beloved, trying to win her favor,” says Lidia.

This year the conditions for incubation have improved significantly. Thanks to the comprehensive assistance of the university, after the reconstruction of the laboratory building, a new reproduction laboratory was put into operation. Custom-made furniture for the incubation room arrived this week. These are five special tables with roll-out shelves to make it convenient for employees to work with incubators, lay and unload eggs. Also, according to an individual sketch, a table was made where eggs and chicks are weighed and measured. In the same incubation room there are cabinets, plumbing and sewerage. Works on the installation of an emergency power supply network have been carried out. In the event of a power outage, the lab will be switched to the generator so the incubation process will not be interrupted. All incubation equipment, internal general and emergency electrical networks are pre-tested. Laboratory staff will apply all their knowledge and experience to implement the plans.