Trio of Baby Falcons Banded at PG&E’s Headquarters

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Three peregrine falcon chicks that hatched in March atop the PG&E
headquarters at 77 Beale St. were banded today by researchers.

Glenn Stewart, director of the University of California, Santa Cruz
Predatory Bird Research Group checked the health and weights of the
birds and applied the bands. Once the birds leave the nest, and perhaps
downtown San Francisco, bird watchers will be able to see the birds’
banding numbers and share their location.

The birds will begin learning to fly in the next three weeks.

While Stewart’s bands have numbers and letters for identification, PG&E
is asking its customers to help name the baby birds — two males and a
female.

Customers can submit names using the hashtag #PGE4Me on Twitter and
Instagram, or by emailing them to [email protected].
The deadline is Thursday, April 26. The names will be chosen from the
submissions and announced the following week.

Last year, the birds – two females and a male – were named Steph, Iggy
and KD, for Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant of NBA
champion Golden State Warriors.

Falcon fans throughout PG&E’s service area and across the world have
watched the birds and their parents via a high-definition webcam (www.pge.com/falconcam).
More than 100,000 viewers tuned in during 2017’s nesting season. So far
this year, the site has had more than 51,000 visitors.

At the conclusion of the banding, PG&E Senior Vice President of Land and
Environment Management Andy Williams presented a grant check for $10,000
to Stewart and his organization for continuing education and outreach.
PG&E has provided more than $270,000 in grants to the Predatory Bird
Research Group since the 1970s.

Stewart said the grant will fund several important functions.

“We have a science-based program that combines research and public
education. We emphasize conservation in the community. I know PG&E is
interested in conservation as well, and the peregrine is the perfect
ambassador because it’s an iconic species. People see the peregrine in
urban environments and they become interested. That interest often turns
into hobbies like bird-watching, or into species-focused interests that
may make them better voters for the environment. And that’s really what
it’s all about in terms of longevity of wildlife, habitat and the
planet,” Stewart said.

Falcons have been nesting on PG&E’s headquarters most years since 2004.

“Why they choose the nesting places they choose is such a big question,”
Stewart said. “For one thing, we’ve put a gravel tray up there. But they
chose the building. There are lots of other buildings around, but
there’s something about the orientation of this building to the sun, the
wind and the bay that’s right for them.”

Between World War II and the 1970s, the peregrine falcon population
nearly disappeared due to toxic chemicals. But thanks to the Endangered
Species Act and the good work of groups like the UC Santa Cruz PBRG, the
species has been saved. There are now about 300 pairs of peregrine
falcons in California.

The fastest animal species on earth, falcons have a dive speed of up to
200 mph.

Stewart said the birds’ nearly annual return to PG&E has been a big
benefit to the species and his organization.

“PG&E has been supporting us since the mid-1970s with money and
materials for research into peregrine falcons and bald eagles,” he said.
“Having a consistent funder is a big deal for a nonprofit organization.
We’ve had a good partnership over the years, and that’s extremely
important. I’m glad the falcons chose the PG&E building.”

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco,
with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the
nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

Contacts

PG&E Corporation
Media Relations, 415-973-5930