What should we name the new peregrine falcon chicks?
Your Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
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I'd like to have a write in vote please. LOL!!
This isn't democratic! If the falcon wasn't banded as the votes above show what is the point in asking us for our input.
The science museum is a fraud and should be ashamed!
I wrote to Scott Anton, of Xcel Energy, and here's what he had to say:
It's true that museum visitors' first-choice name wasn't assigned to a falcon, and that's unfortunate. But we got to name three falcons, not two, and all three of them were named from a list of names proposed, in the first place, by Science Museum visitors. Definitely not "one man, one vote," but hardly completely despotic, either...
No Pussywillow?! This is an outrage!
Out of respect for the bird-that-should-have-been, I will be renaming my roommate's cats "Pussywillow" and "Pussywillow." Also, "Breakfast" shall now be known as "Pussywilliow" in my house, henceforth.
Excuse me Liza. Why is the birds name not Pussywillow? It is the obvious winner of the competition...
We got to name two birds this season, and visitors chose "Pussywillow" and "Nimbus." They were banded and officially named on June 26, 2007.
Thanks for asking.
It actually looks like the museum got to name three birds this year: Nimbus, Century, and Gyrnn.
http://www.raptorresource.org/2007_final_banding_report.pdf
(page 19)
None of them are "Pussywillow." It's such a silly name anyway.
This was a "just for fun" poll, right? Not something that counted?
David at the U, thanks for finding the final banding report.
On June 25, I sent Scott Anton, at Xcel Energy, our list of 10 names, ordered from highest to lowest number of votes. They were: Pussywillow, Nimbus, Morpheus, Buckey, Perry, Edie, Falcotronic, Grynn, Century, and Idaho. We agreed that the two names SMM visitors were contributing were Pussywillow and Nimbus, unless there was a problem with either one (i.e. the name is already in use, or it's too long). And I never heard back, so I assumed there was no problem.
Last year's peregrine was named Starshadow. Before that, our #1 pick was "Santa's Little Helper," but it was disallowed because it's too long: names can't be more than 11 characters. I guess we have a long tradition of silly names.
But I will write to Mr. Anton and see if I can get the scoop on what happened this year.
Why do you think the names don't count? We let visitors suggest names for two weeks. Then we put all those names in a hat, picked 10, and let visitors vote on those. And we submitted the names that the visitors chose. The birds are officially known by their band numbers, but informally by their names. I'd say that counts...
PUSSYWILLOW?!! Are you kidding me?! What type of name is Pussywillow?
Isn't the greek god Oranus king of the sky? Well, since Perigrine falcons are the "kings of the sky", one of them should be named Oranus!
they should be named johnkerry
i THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE Named EDDIE or however you spell it because thats a cooool name..hahah
Swift and Tornato and JonnyAppleSeed TomSawyer
THIS is the best thing i ever saw!
Rock on Pussywillow!!!!
PussyWillow is a funny name
Pussywillow??????
gyrnn is much cooler
They should all be called Eddie...
this name is cute and it reminds me of harry potter. those srre such good books. If u dont think so u are a crazy person
I vote for Falcotronic because it sounds like a really cool name for a falcon.
My mom votes for Nimbus because they are soaring up with the (nimbus) clouds.
nO REASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@#$%^&&**(())__+I randomly choose gyrann
What kind of name is pussywillow? Morpheus is way better.
They should name it Steven. No other name is acceptable.
They should be named Gyrnn because it sounds like a good peregrin falcon name. also because the other names just don't make sense.
I didn't know how to pick a name for a falcon, so i just went with a name that sounded like a person's name. I think that if a person ever seen a falcon annd their name was Perry then they would most likely be amazed that something was named after them even though no one knew they existed!!!
cool!
I'm 4. They are cute and cuddly. I hope they all survive. They are nice to look at. Thank-you
VOTE FOR PEDRO. Just kidding. But seriously. Vote. (I'd love for Falcotronic to win. Someone submits it as a possible name every year. And it's always in the top 5, but it never quite makes the cut.)
name it something with meaning!
I LOVE CENTURY
Dear Scieintists of America-
We firmly believe that the peregrine falcon chick's name should be, Century. That is the most commonly used falcon name in the city of century and the whole world of worlds. This is a proclamation confirming that thy name shall be newly pronounced throughout the world of falcons as Century. This is to be an anonymous suggestion that we hope may be fufilled in thy city of falcons throughout the nation! We predict that if this message is fufiled the life of falcons will change forever in a more peaceful and higher class society. To send out the news of Century all we ask of you is to read this message aloud in front of the city, falcon and accept the challange that they may face until their beautiful name wins over all! To end this message formally, we would like to conclude all of our feelings and emotions into two words...
GO CENTURY!
Sincerely-
Century's most beloved companion,
Century.
Morpheus just sounds so darn cool!
I strongly agree with aphrodite I really enjoy that name and it fits whatever there doing or maybe apollo but not ares it really doesn't matter what they choose but choose somthing soon the sespense is killing me (not).............~_~.....................>_< really I dont know what I'm talking about but thats okay right...................^_^
Wait, can I change my vote to Hephaestus? He had weak legs, and was often depicted riding a donkey, so I think it would make sense.
Actually, maybe I'll stick with Pussywillow. It's just so charming. Also, two days ago a bird of prey of some sort (we'll just say it was a falcon, because it happened right by the smoke stack) fell out of the air on to the sidewalk right in front of me. No joke - I was walking my brother's dog. The falcon was being chased by a bunch of smaller birds of various species (one of them was a blue jay!). I'm pretty sure it was trying to deliver a message, but it was chased away again before we could talk.
I hate to make assumtions, but I think the bird was going to put its vote in for Pussywillow. It had that look in its eyes.
Given these are Athena's chicks, their names really should be Greek dieties: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hermes, Hestia, Demeter, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, or Hephaestus. I vote for Artemis and Hermes (the winged-feet guy).
E is my favorite letter and Edie was the only choice that had two E's. Also, I'm in love with Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam and since they rock so would an Edie falcon
because they soar in the clouds
i love the bird and i would love for the birds to be named that.
AWESOME name dude, that is totally rad! :)
pussy willow is by far the best
Morpheus should be the name. I think that it's a great name
I think that if u don't like the name they give them then you can call them whatever you want, but i think we should name them bucky cause it is a cool and interesting name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pussy willow isnt nobel enuf for a falcon!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel that the chicks should be bucky, because it is ironic... think about it.
I think this would be a great name because it is original
I think this is a unique,cute name(the 1st name)
i picked the name Edie because just did.
jaffa should be the name of the new falcon chicks
I like this name b/c it seems exotic and Falcons are an amazing creature just like all the birds of the air.I hope they survive and thrive.
Jamison from Wisconsin
i voted this way because it almost looks like buckcherry the band
You know, JGordon, I think that you're completely wrong. Morpheus is not an awfully silly name, as you suggest. I think it's a name that signals honor and respect; power and courage; black trench coat with really sweet sunglasses and a stoic demeanor.
JGordon, I think you need to reconsider the facts.