PRESS RELEASE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a watchful eye and loud, angry squawking, peregrine falcon parents Jamie (father) and Moxie (mother) watched protectively as their three chicks were briefly removed from the nest atop Indiana Michigan Center (IMPC) to receive their identification bands and names: Marshmallow, Squirt and Stewart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working together, the Indiana Audubon Society, Soarin\u2019 Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation (based in Fort Wayne) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) banded the one female and two male chicks. This marks the 10th year Jamie and Moxie have nested atop Fort Wayne\u2019s tallest building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 1996, 69 chicks have hatched and been banded atop IMPC. When falcons mature, they can settle up to 200 miles away from the nest where they were hatched, and the numbered bands help track their movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s believed one of Jamie\u2019s and Moxie\u2019s offspring, Flash, has his own nest and chicks in downtown South Bend. Another, Carla, was recently spotted in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I&M asked The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne to pick out several potential names for the chicks and then voting opened on our social media channels for fans. After more than 1,800 votes, Marshmallow, Squirt and Stewart are the official names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is such a special event for the community, employees and bird watchers from around the globe each year,\u201d said Stephanny Smith, I&M\u2019s director of Communications. \u201cWe love seeing the chicks, bringing everyone together and educating our community on the falcons that can be seen high above our city. We hope we can continue this tradition and the enrichment it provides for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The falcon chicks are fully fledged 5-6 weeks after hatching, and typically leave the nest a few months later. Since Jamie and Moxie returned to the nest in March, more than 45,000 views have been recorded on our FalconCam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n