Introducing Fauci, Energizer and Courage: Peregrine falcon chicks officially named and banded

They grow up so quickly! The We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) peregrine falcon chicks are moving on to the next stage of their lives. Thousands of people voted to name the baby birds in honor of the heroes and helpers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the 11 chicks born at our power plants have been given their names and their identification bands. 

Oak Creek Power Plant 

From left to right: 

• Fauci, in honor of health care workers
• Checkers, in honor of grocery store workers
• Beaker, in honor of scientists

Port Washington Power Plant

From left to right: 

• Cheers, in honor of restaurant and bar workers
• Hugs, in honor of parents and guardians
• Harvest, in honor of farmers

Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee

From left to right: 

• Kizzmekia, in honor of vaccinators
• Sparkle, in honor of cleaning crews
• Energizer, in honor of utility workers

Weston Power Plant in Rothschild

From left to right: 

• Courage, in honor of everyone making sacrifices
• Siren, in honor of first responders

About the bandings:

During the banding, our peregrine falcon manager gently places a towel over the chick’s head to calm it down. He then carefully attaches a small metal band to each leg. The bands allow people to contact us and let us know if they’ve spotted one of our peregrines in the wild.

This year’s chicks are just starting to leave the nest. Make sure to tune into our live nest box cameras before they say goodbye!

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.