Clara, the mother falcon atop San Jose City Hall, and her mate, Fernandco El Cohete, are the proud peregrine parents of two females and two males.
UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group biologist Glenn Stewart made the gender identification on Friday at the nestbox of the 18th floor of the building, as he has traditionally since since the falcon family began roosting there in 2007. Stewart also bands the birds so that their whereabouts can be tracked for science.
Last year, all three falcon chicks that were born were males.
Next up is the mayor's naming contest. Children have until April 25 to send in their falcon name submissions.
To donate to the research group and find out more information about the San Jose and other falcons, visit www.scpbrg.org. For a link to the live falcon cam for Clara's nest, visit the predatory bird research group.
A "bird's eye view" of biologist Glenn Stewart siting in a nestbox on top of San Jose City Hall to band four falcons - two male, two female. May 2, 2014.
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