Biologists with pool noodles retrieve two falcon chicks from their nest

LOWELL, Mass — Biologists at UMass Lowell retrieved two peregrine falcon chicks from their nest, but they used pool noodles to fetch them.

Peregrine falcons are the fastest birds on Earth and they live everywhere in the world, including in Massachusetts.

The chicks were retrieved to be able to assess their health, determine their gender and tag them with ID bands so biologists can track them after they have grown and flown away.

According to UMass Lowell, the tagging was done to strengthen the local peregrine population.

Peregrine falcons have long, pointed wings and long, slightly rounded tails. Adult birds are blue-gray to slate-gray on their back with a buffy white underside speckled with black.

Biologists with pool noodles retrieve two falcon chicks from their nest

“Previously an endangered species, the federally protected falcons are listed in Massachusetts as birds “of special concern,” UMass Lowell said.

The falcons, also known as “duck hawks,” are real-life River Hawks and the mascot of the university’s athletic teams. Over the past 15 years, more than 25 peregrine chicks have hatched on Fox Hall’s roof.

People can view and track the birds on campus using the link here.

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