https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/31/uc-berkeleys-beloved-male-peregrine-falcon-grinnell-has-died/?utm_content=tw-mercnews&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow
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https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/31/uc-berkeleys-beloved-male-peregrine-falcon-grinnell-has-died
"UC Berkeley's beloved male peregrine falcon, Grinnell, has died
The 8-year-old falcon was found dead on a Berkeley street Thursday"
By Joan Morris
PUBLISHED: March 31, 2022 at 4:15 p.m. | UPDATED: March 31, 2022 at 4:24 p.m.
Grinnell, the male half of a peregrine falcon pair that lived atop the UC Berkeley Campanile, was found dead Thursday afternoon.
Cal Falcons, the group that monitors the nest, announced the news on its Facebook page and Twitter.
"We are all deeply saddened to report that Grinnell was found dead in downtown Berkeley this afternoon. We are devastated and heartbroken.
The cause of death is not known, but early indications are that he was struck by a car. Peregrine falcons are among the fastest birds in the world, and they often are injured or killed in pursuit of prey.
Grinnell and his mate, Annie, have had a troubling few months starting last October, when Grinnell was injured while fending off a rival falcon. He was treated for almost three weeks at Lindsay Wildlife Hospital in Walnut Creek, before he was well enough to be released back on campus.
Meanwhile, Annie was courted by another suitor, but ultimately chose to stay with Grinnell when he returned.
Watchers thought things were back to normal until last month, when Annie disappeared for more than a week and was presumed dead. Cal Falcon announced the news, but the next day, Annie turned up back at the roost.
Despite some hiccups, Annie has laid two eggs and was expected to lay a third sometime on Thursday, but Cal Falcon says it's doubtful the nest will survive with Grinnell's death.
It takes both birds to tend the nest and later, the chicks. When one of a mated pair dies, the eggs are typically abandoned.
It's also not known whether Annie will stay in the territory, or whether another pair will eventually take it over.
Officials with Cal Falcon said they will be investigating the cause of Grinnell's death and watching to see what becomes of the nest.
Grinnell, who was 8 years old, first arrived on the Campanile with Annie in 2017, and the pair raised 12 chicks.