A ridiculous rumor

Pale Male with twig--June 1, 2006
Photo by Lincoln Karim

Now that Pale Male is as famous as Brad and Angelina, he is just as likely to be the subject of bizarre rumors. The latest, on the news last night and in several newspapers this morning [Daily News, AM New York] is that he and Lola are building a new nest on the Beresford, a building on Central Park West and 81st St..

Reality: Pale Male and Lola have been spending time at the Beresford for years. They like the afternoon sun there. It may also be a good hunting perch at certain times. Their favorite spot happens to be right outside the tower apartment of another celebrity, Helen Gurley Brown. This has gotten the interest of the press, somehow. Also, photos and sightings of each of the pair bringing twigs to the Beresford.

Question: So why are they bringing twigs to the Beresford now?
Answer: They bring twigs to various perches all the time. This is the home-decorating instinct, not the house-building instinct. The hormones that trigger real nest-building are not activated until the breeding season--it happens in February, not in June

Summary: Pale Male and Lola are NOT building a new nest on the Beresford. They are NOT moving to the West Side, even though I, as a staunch West Sider, think they'd be happy there. They're just hanging out, having an easier life these days than they might be having if their eggs had hatched.

PS If you're interested in seeing the Cathedral chicks, the best viewing spot is on 113th Street, between Amsterdam Ave and Morningside Ave, almost at the Morningside corner. Better hurry. The chicks are growing fast. They might fledge before June 15th.