On 6/25/2026, UdeM Falcon chick feeding time turned into a funny little lesson on the 23rd floor of the University of Montreal when Ziva handed one of her daughters a bite that was simply too big to handle.
This recent video from the Roger-Gaudry Pavilion shows mother peregrine falcon Ziva feeding her fast-changing chicks on the ledge. The young falcons look more like juveniles every day, with sleek feathers, stronger bodies, and a clear pull toward independence. But even as they move closer to leaving the ledge, they are still learning the small skills that matter.
In this clip, Ziva carefully prepares a piece of food and offers it to one of the chicks. At first, the young falcon seems ready to take it. Then came the struggle–The bite was too large! The chick tried to manage the oversized piece, but it was more than she could swallow. After a few awkward seconds, she dropped it on the ledge. That is when Ziva stepped in.
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Ziva Fixes The Bite Her Chick Couldn’t Handle
Without missing a beat, Ziva moved back toward the dropped food. She picked it up, worked it into smaller pieces, and offered her daughter a bite that was much easier to manage. It was a funny little moment, especially when the chick first tried to handle the oversized piece. For a few seconds, the chick had the perfect “wait, this is mine?” expression before letting the oversized bite fall to the ledge. The UdeM peregrine chicks may look sleek, strong, and almost ready for the sky, but they are still learning how to handle life beyond the ledge.
Before independence comes practice, patience, and a few oversized bites.
Each bite helps them build another skill. They are learning how to grab food, swallow safely, use their feet, handle prey, and follow the rhythm of a feeding. In that quick little reset, Ziva showed how much learning happens in the ordinary moments, long before the biggest milestones arrive.
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Three Sisters, Three Different Feeding Time Lessons
As the camera moved across the ledge, the three UdeM peregrine sisters showed three different sides of this in-between stage. One stayed close to Ziva and accepted the hand-delivered meal, waiting while her mother tore each piece and offered it directly to her. Nearby, another sister was already trying things for herself, standing over a piece of prey and using her beak and talons to pull at it.
This kind of practice matters. Young peregrines have to learn how to hold food with their feet, tear it apart, manage each bite, and eat without help. Those are not just feeding habits. They are the everyday skills that help a young falcon move closer to independence.
The third sister chose the calmest role in the scene, resting on the ledge while the others worked through the meal. Together, the three of them showed exactly where these young falcons are right now: still cute, still learning, but looking more capable with every day on the ledge.
The UdeM Ledge Has Turned Into a Falcon Classroom
Life on the 23rd floor is changing fast. The University of Montreal ledge is no longer just a nesting spot. It is becoming a place where the chicks eat, rest, test their balance, handle prey, watch their parents, and slowly practice the skills they will need as young peregrines. Their feathers are sleeker now, their bodies look stronger, and their movements are sharper. Ziva and Tadi are still bringing food and caring for them, but the balance is beginning to shift as the chicks start doing more for themselves.
Every awkward bite is part of learning how to become a falcon.
That is why the oversized bite during the UdeM Falcon chicks feeding time was more than a funny feeding blooper. It captured this in-between stage perfectly. The chick wanted the food, tried to manage it, and dropped it when the piece proved too much. Then Ziva stepped in, made it easier, and turned one awkward mouthful into another meaningful lesson. These young falcons are not tiny chicks anymore, but they are not fully independent yet either. That is the quiet magic of this stage: growing up happens in tiny pieces.
This live cam experience is provided by fauconsudem.com. The video was recorded and shared by bird parenting on youtube.
FAQ About the UdeM Peregrine Falcons
Where are the UdeM peregrine falcons located?
The UdeM peregrine falcons nest on the Roger-Gaudry Pavilion at the University of Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
Who is Ziva?
Ziva is the mother peregrine falcon at the UdeM nest. She helps feed and care for the growing chicks.
Who is Tadi?
Tadi is the male peregrine falcon at the UdeM nest. He helps provide food for Ziva and the chicks.
Why did the chick drop the food?
The chick appeared to receive a bite that was too large to handle. After trying to manage it, she dropped it on the ledge.
Why did Ziva break the food into smaller pieces?
Ziva retrieved the oversized piece and made it easier for the chick to eat. Young falcons still need help with feeding before they become fully independent. This frequently happens during chick feeding time at the UdeM falcon nest.
Are the UdeM falcon chicks close to fledging?
They appear to be moving closer. Their feathers are filling in, their bodies are stronger, and they are practicing important skills on the ledge.