Peregrine falcon hatched on U of C campus dies

One of three peregrine falcon fledglings hatched on a University of Calgary building has died, and auniversity employee who has designated herselfthebirds' foster mom is keeping a close watch on the remaining two.

On Tuesday, a young female falcon learning to fly hit a glass pane and broke its neck.

"That was a huge loss for us," said Elli Jilek, a specialist advisor at the campus library who has spent 14 nesting seasons observing a ledge on Craigie Hall wheregenerations of the same falcon familynest.

"But the good news is that the male falcon has been doing really well and is flying already, following the parent, begging for food in mid-flight."

On Thursday morning, the remaining female falcon fledgling was also spotted safe on the ledge and later a nearby roof.

Falcons listed as threatened species

The university's falcons are members of anatum subspecies, a threatened species in Canada. One Alberta wildlife official recently estimated that the province only has 60 pairs of peregrine falcons.

Jilek volunteers her time monitoring the nest, working with experts, including a falconer and a fish and wildlife biologistfrom Alberta Sustainable Resource and Development.

"I call myself the foster mom because I do keep an eye out for them," she said. "When there are accidents or injuries or whatever, I do try and step in and help out."

Apair of falcons nestedon Craigie Hall in early April, and four eggs were spotted about two weeks later. Three chicks were born in early June. The fourth egg never hatched. By the end of June, the three chicks one male and two females were banded for tracking purposes.

"All appear healthy, are feisty and not impressed with their new 'bracelets'," wrote Jilek on her blog.

She posted a warning around campus on July 6 about the birds' first flight lessons. It includes phone numbers to call in case of a "crash landing," as well as tips for helping a hurt bird.

Jilek said she was concerned because the mortality rate of peregrine falcons in their first year is 65 to 85 per cent.

She hopes the remaining two birds will survive and the nest will be busy again next spring.