‘Meadowbrooks’ give birth to five falcons

Falcons “Mr. and Mrs. Meadowbrook” gave birth to five falcon babies for the 15th year in a row, totaling 55 falcons, born at NUMC since 1997. Peregrine falcons nest on the 17th floor window ledge of the NUMC. 

The five new baby falcons, will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap, with the black eyed peas manager as the unexpected fifth baby falcon to hatch, were banded on May 13 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as Peregrine falcons are protected by New York state and are still listed as an endangered species. The Department of Environmental Conservation tracks the birds for historical data, such as where they were born, their age, changes in weight, etc. The five new falcons are the largest nest delivered by the Meadowbrooks.

According to the NUMC, the adult pair mates for life and displays a strong nest site fidelity. The breeding season for the Peregrine Falcon begins with courtship in February and March, followed by egg-laying in early March until April, officials said. Incubation of the eggs takes about 30 days, then the DEC bands them at about three weeks of age. Banding allows for the DEC to identify and keep track of the falcons as they grow.

After that, at about five-and-a-half weeks of age, the falcons begin to fly, and continue to remain dependant on the adults until they go on their first flight and generally migrate from the breeding location by mid-to-late summer.