KALAMAZOO, Mich. (July 3, 2014) – A contest is underway in west Michigan to name an endangered Peregrine falcon.
Unlike other banded birds, Peregrine Falcons are given a name when banded. With each band number, a name is entered into a national registry and birds are referred to by name, opposed to a band number.
Community members are invited to stop by any Kalamazoo area Fifth Third Bank between now and July 21 to submit a name suggestion for the rare bird, and also share the reason for the name suggestion.
“The DNR was gracious in offering the Bank the opportunity to name our resident birds,” said Ron Foor, Fifth Third Bank vice president of commercial banking in Kalamazoo. “As we thought about the name, we realized this Peregrine family has been a story the community has followed and embraced – and since it belongs to all of us, we all need to have a hand in naming the bird.”
Name ideas may be submitted at the following Fifth Third Bank locations:
- Burdick/Crosstown,101 East Crosstown Pkwy in Kalamazoo
- Gull Road, 5653 Gull Rd. in Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Downtown,136 E. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo
- Milwood, 4109 Portage Rd. in Kalamazoo
- Westwood , 4705 West Main St. in Kalamazoo
- Crossroads, 6488 S. Westnedge Ave. in Portage
- West Lake, 8910 Portage Rd. in Portage
- Woodbridge, 3500 West Centre Rd. in Portage
- Richland, 8020 North 32nd St. in Richland
- Oshtemo, 6040 Stadium Dr. in Kalamazoo
- Three Rivers, 216 North Main St. in Three Rivers
- Paw Paw, 37687 Red Arrow Highway in Paw Paw
Based on the submissions, a committee of community leaders will review and select the final name on July 24, followed by an announcement. The Peregrine Falcons came near extinction and remained on the list of federally endangered species until 1999. The Peregrine Falcon remains on the endangered species list in Michigan.
