AUSTIN, Texas — Austinites are waiting to see if the University of Texas’ resident falcon will have new offspring after the bird, nicknamed “Tower Girl”, was spotted with at least one egg and a companion in her nest.
The peregrine falcon is famous for making her home atop the UT tower.
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A new live-streaming camera set up by UT’s Biodiversity Center and the College of Natural Sciences has allowed Tower Girl fans to keep an eye on the bird’s antics round-the-clock.
She piqued interested with viewers around Valentine’s Day this year, when she was spotted hanging around with a male visitor in her nesting box. Researchers even caught a few glimpses of them “kissing.”
“Birds do a great deal of their communication through posture,” professor of biology and bird expert Tim Keitt told KVUE earlier this month. “The bowing posture is part of pair-bonding. That is a good sign that the male bird will stay around and mate. Clasping bills is a common part of pair-bonding behavior in birds. It is known courtship behavior described by falcon breeders who call it 'billing.'"
Laying typically happens mid to late March and includes successive eggs every 50 hours in a usual clutch of four. Full-time incubation does not begin until after the second or third egg. The egg on Monday marks the earliest date Tower Girl has laid her first egg.
While previous years have all been nest failures, no male was present. This year’s male appears to be a new suitor, so researchers are keeping their fingers crossed. Peregrine falcons mate for life.
Austin is considered the edge of the peregrine falcons' breeding range, so if this matching results in a successful hatching, it would expand the known breeding range of the species.
The FalconCam has become a huge hit since its creation about a year ago. Scientists said, along with viewers, they have spotted many other birds of prey atop the tower, including red-tailed hawks and American kestrels.
In January alone, researchers said the FalconCam was viewed for more than 24,000 hours, and the cost of the streaming service is increasing. They also have plans to add a microphone soon. You can support them by making a donation here.
Has Tower Girl finally found her “Mr. Right?” Watch the FalconCam and stay tuned!