River's Energy Outburst (7-19-24)

This clip shows the female juvie, "River" at the Hilliard Bridge site as she jabs and stabs at the branch, getting hyped up before trying to hunt and later getting prey from an adult. She almost looks like a gymnast toward the end of this clip, clinging onto the branch while hanging upside down momentarily, and hoisting herself back up with fluttering wings!
This feisty energy outburst is a way that falcons use objects (such as the branch) as mock prey to playfully practice footing skills as she channels food aggressive behavior while still dependent on her parents for food. We have seen this with juvies as they are waiting for prey, and we've seen this behavior with both juvies and adults before they hunt.