For the seventh season, a pair of peregrine falcons returned to their nest atop UC Davis Medical Center. The nest sits a safe distance from the hospital's busy helipad.
In March 2025, the peregrine falcons laid five eggs. Ultimately, four eggs hatched, welcoming three new female falcons and one male. The fifth egg was deemed unviable. The hatchlings have since grow and lost all white feathers. The next step is flight!
Find out more about what experts believe happened to last year's eggs
The chicks usually begin hatching in late April. William "Bill" Corbett, procurement supervisor at UC Davis Health, is also our resident falcon expert. He answered questions about these fascinating birds and why it's so unique to have them here.
The peregrine falcon used to be on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It was also one of the first birds placed on California's Endangered Species List.
Luckily, the raptor was removed from the federal list in 1999, thanks to efforts by The Peregrine Fund and others. The ban of DDT in 1972 in the U.S. also helped the species recover. The led to the falcons removal from the state Endangered Species List in 2009.
Experts estimate the first-year survival rate for the chicks is about 50%. Urban falcons face hazards such as injury, illness, and predators. The young birds typically fly away from the nest at the medical center sometime in mid-June. Experts say the birds usually stay in the area for another month as their parents continue to feed them and encourage them to hunt.
Here are a few other facts about peregrine falcons:
To learn more about the peregrine falcon and other birds of prey, check out the California Raptor Center at UC Davis and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.