Name the Chick!

Each year since 1996 we have held a contest to involve a school in the naming of the Columbus falcon nestlings.  Throughout the process of the naming contest we encourage students to learn about wildlife conservation and biology.  As they learn specific characteristics about peregrines, they use that knowledge to help them select a name that reflects the power, agility and majesty of this raptor.  Other guidelines we require include that the name is not a human name, is not gender specific and has not been used in Columbus in the past 5 years. 

Thanks to the students at Scioto Darby Elementary School in Hilliard for hosting this year's naming contest for the Columbus chick!  Students from grades 1 through 5 submitted over 80 names! A panel of local wildlife enthusiasts narrowed the names down to these 4 finalists: 

LIBERTY, BOLT, ZOOM, MIRACLE  

Click here to go to the webpoll! Voting will continue through noon on Monday, May 13th.

Banding is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21st and will be shown on the live streaming video feed.  More detail to follow on the banding event as plans are finalized. 

Here's the chick earlier today with a bulging crop--the result of a big meal!