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Falcon chicks are named

One of the falcon chicks can be seen behind its parent in the nesting box. Photo: VICKI KADOW

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By SUE WUETCHER

Published: June 4, 2009

And the winners are Zephyr, Athos, Kevin and Tory.

Those are the names chosen for the four peregrine falcon chicks that are living with their parents in the tower of MacKay Heating Plant on the east side of the South Campus.

The chicks were hatched about three weeks ago.

More than 30 UB faculty, staff and students suggested names in the “Name that Chick” contest. Serving as judges were Chris Hollister, information literacy librarian in the Undergraduate Library and an avid ornithologist and contributor to the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s “Breeding Bird Atlas, 2000-2004”; Vicki Kadow, an Amherst birdwatcher who brought the falcons to the DEC’s attention and maintains a blog, Peregrine Place, on the UB falcons and others in the Buffalo area; and Michael F. Sheridan, director of UB’s Center on GeoHazard Studies, who raises parrots and other birds.

"Zephyr" was suggested by Joy James, administrative assistant at MCEER, because falcons are known to reach speeds of 200 m.p.h.

"Athos,” for Mount Athos, Holy Mountain, was submitted by Richard Gronostajski, professor of biochemistry.

The now gender-neutral "Kevin" was suggested by Mary Brummond, a student in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, in honor of the bird in the new Pixar movie “UP!” and because UB employees Kevin Walsh, a staff member in Facilities Operations, University Facilities, helped install the falcons’ nesting box and Kevin Hicks, also of Facilities Operations, “has been an invaluable source of information to us in news of the falcons,” according to the judges.

"Tory,” submitted by a participant who wished to remain anonymous, was chosen to honor ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson and mark the 100-year anniversary of his birth.