Falcon stops for visit at UNMC

It seems UNMC may have a falcon. The falcon has been spotted hanging out for a couple of months around the Durham Research Center towers, and has been seen roosting at DRC II. Pete Iwen, Ph.D., professor of pathology and microbiology, even got a picture of it.

The falcon is looking right at the camera, like, “What? What do you want?”

It’s no surprise that the bird wound up at UNMC. Peregrine falcons take to tall buildings, which both simulates the birds’ cliff habitats and often provides them with pre-stocked flocks of delicious pigeons to eat.

The peregrine falcon can be found most everywhere on earth. Wikipedia, citing the book “Raptors of the World,” calls it “the world’s most widespread raptor.” But in the mid-20th century, pesticides almost put it on the extinction list. Since then the bird has made a comeback, most notably in cities.

And thanks to webcams and Facebook pages, falcons have become celebrities. That includes here in Omaha.

Nebraska has two well-established populations of peregrine falcons. At the Woodmen Tower in Omaha, and the state capitol building in Lincoln. Is UNMC’s falcon just visiting from one of these locations?

We don’t know. It’s tough to see if the bird has an ID leg band, let alone read one, unless you or your camera can get extra close.

Joel Jorgensen of Nebraska Game and Parks thinks the bird looks like a male. He said a couple of falcons also have been seen hanging around the Mutual of Omaha building. The Midwest Peregrine Society was able to identify one of them as Chayton, a female originally from Kansas City.

This bird might be one of those. Or it might not. It could have flown in from who knows where. Omaha falcons — we know this from their bands — have re-located to Chicago, Fargo, N.D., Topeka, Kan., and Red Wing, Minn.

One of the “Woodmen” falcons was once spotted in Peru. As in South America, not southeast Nebraska.

If we’re hoping for a permanent falcon, we might be a little close to the Mutual site, Jorgensen said — peregrines are territorial.

If the falcon decides to stay at UNMC, what would you name it?

“Chuck,” for Charles Durham, since it seems to like the DRC? “Howard,” joining UNMC’s other notable Howards (Gendelman, Liu and Fox)? Add your name choice in the comments below.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled on the skies above UNMC. Especially if you’re a pigeon.