The most famous bird brains in San Jose are parents once again and now comes the hard part -- names.
Clara and Esteban Colbert, the famed peregrine falcons who live atop San Jose City Hall, have three baby peregrines. As promised, the city has opened up the naming rights for the new chicks in the form of a contest.
Friday, San Jose's Mayor extended the entry deadline through the weekend. Names should be of the unisex order, since we don't know yet if the chicks are male or female.
The contest is open for kids between ages 5-18. Submissions can be in the form of an essay, artwork, video or song.
A panel of judges will meet next week to decide on finalists and the top names will be open for an online vote. Winners will not only have their prize of a flying tribute to their idea, but also will receive a commendation from the Mayor at a City Council meeting, a falcon T-shirt and an assembly for their school featuring Glenn Stewart of the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group for their school.
Watch the falcons in their home via the SJ FalconCam.
HOW TO ENTER:
To submit a falcon name to the mayor"s contest, children must live or attend school in San Jose and be 5 to 18 years old. Walk-in applications are due Monday at 5 p.m. But e-mailed and postmarked submissions are accepted Monday through midnight. To e-mail, send an application form to mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov or mail to Falcon Naming c/o Mayor"s Office, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 18th floor, San Jose CA 95113. To download an application, go to www.sanjoseca.gov/falcons.
