University hosting contest to name peregrine falcon chicks

Topics:

The U-M community is invited to help name the three peregrine falcon chicks that hatched on May 2 on the roof of the University Hospital. 

This is Thunderbolt, the adult female falcon that hatched three chicks this year. (Photo by Barb Baldinger, DNR)

This is the fourth consecutive year a mother falcon has successfully hatched peregrine falcons. Last year, there were four chicks. The young will stay with the adults until about the end of August.

The university will offer the community an opportunity to name the baby falcons through an online contest. Please visit the U-M Facebook page for contest updates.

The three falcon chicks were banded late last week so they can be tracked by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Staff identified one male and two female chicks.

According to the DNR, it is not uncommon for peregrine falcons to use the same nest site for many years. In urban areas, peregrine pairs tend to nest on tall buildings or bridges, which simulate high cliffs and ledges, making the University Hospital rooftop a prime location.

The peregrine falcon has been removed from the federal endangered-species list, but remains an endangered species in Michigan. The male bird is about the size of a crow. Females are slightly larger.

These three peregrine falcon chicks hatched May 2. The university community is being asked to help name them. (Photo by Barb Baldinger, DNR)

Comments

  1. Brad Nelson
    on June 3, 2014 at 10:10 am

    Here are three good names. Yost, Bo, Bump.

  2. carl Cohen
    on June 3, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Athos, Porthos, Aramis

    “One for all and all for one”

  3. carl Cohen
    on June 3, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Athos, Porthos, Aramis

    “One for all and all for one”

  4. Jeanne Patterson
    on June 3, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Lightning, Flash and Rumble

  5. Jeanne Kero
    on June 4, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Maya (Angelou), Virginia (Silver Club member’s wife) and Victor!!

  6. Bruce Frier
    on June 4, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

  7. Lisa D
    on June 4, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Maizey, Bleu, and Wolverine!

  8. Joe Omichinski
    on June 6, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Gerald (Ford), Tom (Brady), and Mario (Manningham)

Leave a comment

Commenting is closed for this article. Please read our comment guidelines for more information.