First Pitt peregrine chick of 2026 with 3 remaining eggs + eggshell, 25 April 2026, 3:38am (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh via John English)

25 April 2026

Carla and Ecco’s first hatchling of 2026 emerged last night at 11:03pm at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest. Hours later Carla stepped away and John English captured our first look at the bright-eyed chick (photo above and below). The chick’s eggshell is discarded in front and he’s propped on the three remaining eggs.

Cropped from photo above, 25 April 2026, 3:38am

Becca Hansborough at the National Aviary was watching when Carla faced the camera and showed us the emerging chick on Friday night at 11:03am.

Because peregrines delay incubation until the next-to-last egg is laid, the first three of Carla’s four eggs are expected to hatch within 24 hours, hence “Hatch Day.” The last egg will hatch about two days later because it was laid about two days after incubation began.

Right now, just before 6:00am on Saturday 25 April, Carla is waiting for her first nest exchange with Ecco. That will be our best chance to see the status of the eggs and chick.

Watch the growing Pitt peregrine family on the National Aviary falconcam as Hatch Day continues.

p.s. The chick had his first feeding at 6:18am. The remnants of his breakfast are a dark blob in front of Carla’s shoulder.

Carla shelters first chick and remaining eggs after the first feeding, 25 April 2026, 6:58am

Second hatchling at 3:15pm.

Second hatchling on view while Carla faces the camera, 25 April 2026, 3:15pm