It is a sure sign of Spring: San Jose’s pair of Peregrine Falcons, Clara and Esteban Colbert, are now guarding their nest; four falcon eggs having been laid last week. As recently as 1970, Peregrine Falcons were on the Endangered Species list, with only two known nesting pairs. The University of California Predatory Bird Research group, immensely aided by the federal banning of DDT, has been working over the past decades to breed and nurture the species back from near-extinction.

In 1987, PG&E put a nest box on its building in the San Francisco Financial District, and, 16 years later, falcons nested there for the first time.

San Jose’s sparkling and distinctive city hall was completed in Oct. of 2005. It features an 18 story tower and dome-shaped rotunda. In all, the City Hall contains about 53,000 sq. ft. of office and public space. San Jose’s resident falcon Clara has been high up on San Jose’s City Hall for four seasons, the last two with Esteban Colbert. Needless to say, having a falcon family in residence has turned the attention of local residents at least in part away from the year’s budget troubles, and, through a webcam, given them a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the Peregrine Falcon family.

It is expected that the eggs will hatch shortly after Easter this year. The children of San Jose have been asked by Mayor Chuck Reed to enter a contest to name the chicks, though their gender is unknown.

Additionally, if you are interested in contributing to the Falcon Fund, please go to www.peregrinefund.org/book_peregrine.asp.

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco