
22 May 2025
After yesterday morning’s downpour, three healthy chicks were banded at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest. Two already looked much larger than the third and their weight confirmed it(*). Two females and one male.
Both parents, Carla and Ecco, have experienced Banding Day in prior years so they knew what was coming when they heard us talking indoors. Carla circled ahead of time and watched us through the blinds. Soon the PA Game Commission’s Patti Barber retrieved, banded, and weighed the chicks while Carla and Ecco continued their vigil. The chicks were returned to the nest within half an hour. Here are the highlights:
Normally I take a lot of photos during the event and blog about it on the afternoon of Banding Day but my hands were busy at the banding. Patti asked me to hold the chicks while she banded them, a new experience for me. Photos at top and below.



For ease of identification on camera, Patti Barber put colored tape on the chicks’ USFW bands.
- First female = Yellow
- Second female = Blue
- The smallest chick is Male = Green
Watch the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh to see the chicks grow up.
(*) Because male peregrines are one third smaller than females, the sex of peregrine chicks at banding is determined by weight.
Thanks for the pictures of banding day. I know it’s about the chicks, but I loved seeing Carla and Ecco as they were looking to protect their kids. Carla has the makings of a truly good successor to Dorothy! And of course it’s good to read that the chicks are in good health.
Kate, you must have been thrilled to hold the youngsters as they were getting their bling. How fun!
Bet your face hurt from smiling so hard. What a thrill.
What a thrill to be able to hold them!
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful photos. This is my first year of watching a nest cam, and it has been such a thrill! I’m so glad you got to hold the babies!! That must have been one of the best experiences of your whole life!
Great job Kate and Patti! and awesome photography work from our PEFA photographers.
Great!
I am so very glad that you got the opportunity to hold the chicks, Kate! Wow! So happy for you!!! Also happy for 3 healthy chicks.
Have you named them? I have wonderful suggestions for you if you’d like.
Kurt, the chicks will not be named because… It is the policy of the PA Game Commission not to name wild birds, including peregrine falcons at banding. While they are on camera I’ll refer to them as “Yellow”, “Blue” and “Green” per the tape color on their USFW band.
Here’s the complete story on peregrine names in southwestern PA–> https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/peregrine-faqs/question-how-do-peregrines-get-their-names/