Flight Diary #3 – ETTORE and ELIA

Two (Almost) Inseparable Brothers

Ettore and Elia are the two males released this year and, from their very first weeks of freedom, they showed a remarkably strong bond.

After their initial exploratory flights, the two brothers continued to use the same areas, resting and hunting in the same fields and even spending the night together—sometimes even on the same tree. This behaviour has also been observed in other young males in previous years.

As the weeks went by, their routes gradually began to diverge. However, unlike their sisters—who explored much wider regions of the peninsula—Ettore and Elia remained mostly concentrated in central Italy, travelling as far as the border between Emilia‑Romagna and the Marche.

It was precisely there that, at different times, they spent several weeks, using areas already frequented by their sisters. Then, instead of expanding their dispersal range, both chose to return toward the hacking area, settling once again in their natal site.

Ettore and Elia continue to frequent the same zones, meeting during their flights and, on some occasions, even spending the night in the same areas.

GPS data allows us to follow not only their movements but also the persistence of a relationship between two young falcons who, while becoming progressively independent, still choose to share part of their space. This aspect becomes even more significant when compared to their relationship with the humans who raised them—a bond that has gradually faded until disappearing.

Who knows what they communicate when they meet, and how long they will continue to choose the same territories. For now, Ettore and Elia keep flying together.

Don’t miss the final conference of the LIFE Lanner project—we look forward to seeing you on 29–30 September. Registration at the link: https://forms.gle/iMMi8HdAc1BUumQZ9