National Aviary’s FalconCam: Peregrine Falcon Chicks Banded at University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning for the Second Year in a Row!
(Pittsburgh, PA) May 21, 2025 – Today marks a year to date since Carla and Ecco’s Peregrine Falcon chick duo were banded by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The National Aviary is thrilled to announce that approximately 365 days later, three additional Peregrine Falcon chicks were banded earlier this morning at the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. The three chicks are the stars of the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam, a livestream of the Peregrine Falcon nest located in Oakland that attracts thousands of viewers, who can watch the birds’ development from egg to hatchling and eventually to fledgling at aviary.org.
Bird banding involves placing a small, lightweight band marked with an identifying number on a bird’s leg. Using the numbers on the bands, scientists can study the behaviors of Peregrine Falcons while also determining the current status of their populations. Being able to access this type of data is critical for the species, formerly endangered in Pennsylvania due to the use of agricultural pesticide DDT.
“The Peregrine Falcon was removed from our state’s threatened and endangered species list in 2021 after more than 40 years, “said Pennsylvania Game Commission Endangered Bird Biologist Patricia Barber, “and yet we continue banding at the Cathedral of Learning nest for the immense educational value it provides. This is a species’ Oakland residents can see soar overhead; a species that has also grown a large digital following thanks to the National Aviary FalconCam. The more information we can track and share, the more invested in the well-being of all birds these audiences become.”
Barber climbed the Cathedral of Learning’s steep ledge to retrieve the chicks from the nest. With the assistance of FalconCam supporter Kate St. John, Barber performed health checks on and banded each of the three chicks.
Carla and Ecco’s third chick during banding
The first two chicks hatched April 24 – just in time for National Take Your Kid to Work Day, followed by the third chick on April 27. This is the second brood for Peregrine couple, Carla and Ecco who started their courtship last year. Ecco first appeared at the Cathedral of Learning in 2020 and Carla made her first appearance around May of 2023. Peregrine Falcons have been nesting at the Cathedral of Learning since 2002.
“What another important day for the birding community!” says National Aviary Ornithologist Robert Mulvihill. “We (at the National Aviary) are greatly moved by this additional opportunity to orchestrate the banding of THREE additional Peregrine Falcon chicks. Banding is so vital to the continued plight of the Peregrine Falcon species. The data we receive from this banding will help us continue to track the bird’s movements, survival rate, mating history, and other aspects of biology that make our job that much easier. After two successful seasons, I am personally so excited to see what the next year of the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam brings!”
The National Aviary remains grateful to the University of Pittsburgh and Aviary supporter Kate St. John, for their continued support of this season’s live FalconCam.
“Every year, Pitt students, faculty, and staff look forward to turning on the cameras – and in some lucky cases, looking out their windows – to see the falcons raise their young right here on our campus. But thanks to the incredible partnerships we’ve built with the National Aviary and the PA Game Commission, it’s not only our community, but the global birding community, who come together each spring to learn and watch together,” says Kevin Washo, Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Chief of Staff.
Viewers of the National Aviary Peregrine FalconCam can continue to watch as the three chicks grow and develop on camera before they try their first attempt at fledgling the nest as early as June!
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About the National Aviary
The one and only National Aviary is located on Pittsburgh’s historic Northside since its founding in 1952. The National Aviary is home to more than 500 birds and other animals representing more than 150 diverse species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The National Aviary’s large walk-through habitats create an intimate, up-close interaction between visitors and free-flying birds, including opportunities to hand-feed and to meet many species rarely found in zoos.
About the Pennsylvania Game Commission
As the Commonwealth’s wildlife agency, the Pennsylvania Game Commission manages and protects the state’s 480 species of birds and mammals for current and future generations. With the help of more than 700 full-time employees and thousands of part-timers and volunteers, the agency provides a host of benefits to wildlife, Pennsylvanians and visitors.
About the University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh is a top-ranked, public institution in Pennsylvania and a member of the Association of American Universities of leading research universities. With our discoveries, we are recognized as one of the most innovative universities in the world. We invent the paths of the future and forge ahead.