Pitt peregrine ‘Red’ near the snapcam on 5 June 2026, 2:37pm (photo from the National Aviary snapcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

3 July 2026

In early June I routinely saw only one juvenile peregrine at the Cathedral of Learning. This was puzzling because young peregrines usually hang out at home for a couple of weeks, chasing their parents and playing in the sky with their siblings. Where were the other three? Puzzle solved for one of them: “Red” was rescued in early June and is on his way to rehab.

Pitt peregrine ‘Red’ near the snapcam on 5 June 2026, 2:15pm (photo from the National Aviary snapcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

On Tuesday morning 9 June, the young male peregrine “Red” (Black/Green 09/Z) was found bleeding and stunned at 4400 Forbes Avenue near Carnegie Museum. He was admitted to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Center (HARP) in Verona at 7:00am where the team treated his wounds and evaluated his condition.

Red must have hit something really hard head first because his head was bleeding and he had a concussion. Katie Kefalos, Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation, also told me his lead tests came back positive. He was treated for lead and his levels returned to normal.

HARP was hopeful that Red could rejoin his family soon for hunting school but on 18 June, wounds healed and lead-free, he flunked his flight test. He was too wobbly to go home. (Concussions can do that.)

“Red” at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Verona Wildlife Center, 2 July 2026 (photo from HARP)

Yesterday, 2 July, Red had another flight test but his skills were still not where they should be for him to learn to hunt. Meanwhile his parents, Carla and Ecco, have moved on from hunting school to “it’s time to leave home, kids.”

At this point Red needs to gain strength and balance and learn to hunt so he can become an independent peregrine. HARP has arranged for Red to be transported to Tamarack Wildlife Center whose rehab facility is equipped to help Red through the next steps.

“Red” at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Verona Wildlife Center, 2 July 2026 (photo from HARP)

Red has been a celebrity at HARP and is featured on their fundraiser page. If you’d like to thank HARP for helping Red and injured wildlife, consider a donation by clicking here or on the photo below.

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh fundraiser

You might also consider giving a boost to Tamarack Wildlife Center for their upcoming work with Red.

Red doesn’t know it, but he thanks you.