3 peregrine falcon chicks living atop UC Davis Medical Center now have names
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chicks are named Christina, Annie and Genevieve.
- The trio will begin testing their wings and preparing for first flights soon.
- Call UC Davis Health Police non-emergency at 916-734-2555 if a falcon is on the ground.
The three peregrine falcon chicks nesting above the UC Davis Medical Center have entered a new phase in their development and, officials said, have names to go along with it.
The roughly one-month-old falcons are named Christina, Annie and Genevieve, the UC Davis Medical Center said in a Tuesday post on social media.
On top of that, the trio will begin testing their wings as they prepare for their first flights over the next few weeks, officials said.
“Please join us in wishing these young aviators luck as they continue to grow and begin to explore the skies,” the UC Davis Medical Center said in its post on social media.
How long will they stay?
Falcon nesting has been a regular occurrence above the Medical Center since 2015, with the birds usually leaving the nest about mid-June, according to UC Davis’ info page about the birds. The falcons usually stay in the area for about another month while still being fed by their parents, officials said.
That means prospective bird watchers have just a few more weeks to watch the falcons on the live camera or try to catch a glimpse in-person.
While the falcons are learning to fly, which can be dangerous, officials said visitors and staff are encouraged to watch out for them.
If a falcon is on the ground, people are encouraged to call the UC Davis Health Police Department at its non-emergency line 916-734-2555, who will notify experts to respond safely. People are asked not to touch falcons if they are on the ground.
How likely are they to survive?
Christina, Annie and Genevieve were born between May 11 and May 12, alongside one chick that died soon after. The four eggs were laid in March.
According to UC Davis, the three living falcons are healthy and growing well.
About 50% of falcons survive their first year, officials estimated. Falcons living in urban areas, like the UC Davis trio, have to deal with injuries, illness and predators to survive.
While the falcons have challenges to deal with, their life expectancies have increased over the past few decades after being removed from the nationwide and state endangered species lists in 1999 and 2009, respectively.
Peregrine falcons were heavily impacted by the use of the pesticide DDT, which was banned across the United States in 1972.
In 1975, there were only 324 known American peregrine falcon nesting pairs. That number grew to about 3,000 across North America by Nov. 3, 2022, according to the National Park Service.
Peregrine falcons are the fastest birds in the world, reaching up to 200 mph, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The birds usually prey on smaller birds and small reptiles or mammals, officials said.
Unlike many other birds, the peregrine falcons typically build nests on breaks in cliffsides or human-made bridges or structures, like the Medical Center, CDFW said.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 9:57 AM with the headline "3 peregrine falcon chicks living atop UC Davis Medical Center now have names."
