The Rochester Falcons eyases received their bands on Wednesday, May 21st, thanks to our friends at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Introducing our Class of 2025!
Zephyrus (Male)
Zephyrus
Zephyrus received band 27 Black over R Green, with red tape over his USFW band.
Name chosen by Elizabeth Simons’ students at Greece Olympia High School in Greece, NY.
“We offer the name Zephyrus to honor our Greece Schools and because it means ‘west wind’ symbolizing speed and agility.”
Anders (Male)
Anders
Anders received band 28 Black over R Green, with blue tape over his USFW band.
Name chosen by our naming contest winner, Lori Zurick of Hilton, NY.
Anders was chosen in honor of Neander and his guardian spirit, strength and bravery. His soul will live on in one of his new falcons so that he will never be forgotten to all who loved him and watched him be a loyal partner to Nova.
Thank you Lori and all that chose this name in memory of our beloved Neander. ♥️
Denali (Male)
Denali
Denali received band 29 Black over R Green, with yellow tape over his USFW band.
Named by Susan Kraftschik of Tucson, AZ.
Susan was a longtime Rochester Falcon Watcher. She chose the name Denali for the highest mountain, not only in the US, but in all of North America. It is also the tallest mountain in the world from base to peak on land. Mountains always remind me of falcons, not only for the cliffs that they nest on but for the height, strength and power that mountains represent.
Zephyrus AndersDenali
We want to thank our friends at the DEC, Elizabeth Simons’ students at Greece Olympia, Lori Zurick, Susan Kraftschik, all those that watch the Rfalconcam and the Rochester Falcon Watchers, who were watching Nova and New Guy’s reaction from below! Also, a big thanks to the Rfalconcam Team who keep the cameras going, so we have this wonderful view into the world of a Peregrine Falcon family! The true stars are Nova, Neander, Zephyrus, Anders, Denali and New Guy who is learning to take care of this little family.
We all miss Neander. Since no territorial battle was ever witnessed, we’ll probably never know what happened to him. Fly Free Neander. We Miss You!
Finally! This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for. It’s time to name an eyas!
The poll is open! From the many excellent suggestions that were received, Rfalconcam’s Naming Committee selected 17 names from over 100 submissions. Thank you to everyone who submitted a name!
Voting is easy. Just click/tap on the link below. It will open the ballot form where you’ll start by filling in your name and email address. Then select your favorite name and click/tap the Submit button. Be sure to read the brief description we’ve included with each name. It might help you make your decision. We’ll announce the winning name when the eyases are banded.
Here’s your chance to name one of this year’s Eyases!
We are very happy to announce that once again falcon fans will have an opportunity to choose a name for an eyas in the nest box atop the Times Square Building, and it will be in the form of a naming contest open to all viewers.
Much care and thought has been used to name past eyases. We’ve included the criteria for choosing a name. Please read the rules very carefully and use the link below to submit one (1) gender neutral name.
Please, only one submission per person!
The deadline for name submissions is 11:59 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Suggested Rfalconcam Naming Criteria Acceptable Categories for Names:
Explorers, Astronomers, Conservationists, especially those with International appeal (e.g., Galileo, [Amelia] Earhart, Magellan), or those who have played a significant role in Peregrine re-population efforts. Names inspired by Nature–topographic, meteorological, geographic, etc. (e.g. Kaver, Isaura, Fulmine, Alkyonis, Skye, Aconcagua) Inspirational Names (e.g. Freedom, Hope, Destiny) Words that refer to falcons in languages other than Modern English (e.g. Thlotli, Hafoc)
Categories that do not fit the criteria:
Names derived from religious, political, or popular culture icons. Names directly related to a human person either living or dead, except as noted in the acceptable criteria above. Names related to a commercial product, or a copyrighted or trademarked name owned by any corporation, individual or organization. Names that reflect negatively on any group, organization, individual or entity.
Names should be well researched whenever possible. Supporting rationale for the name is required, so give us a few sentences that explain the name and the reason you chose it.
Submitting a Name:
That’s easy! Just click on this link to open the submission form. Only one submission per person please! If multiple submissions are sent in, only the first one that meets the criteria will be accepted.
NOTE: IF SUBMITTING A NAME, PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS IT HERE, ON THE FORUM, OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.
Judging the Name Submissions:
The Rfalconcam Naming Committee will evaluate all name submissions for appropriateness, including (but not limited to) adherence to the naming criteria, well researched name, uniqueness of the name and how well it follows the “spirit” of past falcon names.
The committee will select the top 10 names from those submitted and create a poll for our viewers to vote for their favorite.
NOTE: MEMBERS OF THE NAMING COMMITTEE WILL HAVE FINAL EDITORIAL RIGHT OF REFUSAL FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS, AND THEY MAY REJECT ANY NAME SUBMISSION THAT DOES NOT MEET THE NAMING CRITERIA OR IS JUDGED NOT TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR ANY OTHER REASON.
Past Falcon Names that Meet the Criteria Above:
2002 Freedom
2003 Isaura – A wind that blows off the Greek Isles Chayton – A Native American word for Falcon Destiny Thlotli – An Aztec name for Falcon Edge – Named for Rosalie Edge
2004 Alkyonis – Named in honor of the 2004 Olympic games in Greece Pride Gahastey – Native American word for a type of wind Grissom – Named in memory of Virgil “Gus” Grissom Hafoc – Old English word for Falcon
2005 Esperanza – Spanish word for Hope Ihteram – Arabic word for Respect Fulmine – Italian word for Lightning Aconcagua – A mountain in Argentina Skye – An island in Scotland where falconry is practiced
2006 Aura – Latin word for breeze
2007 Ananta – A Sanskrit word meaning “infinite” and “endless.”
2008 Diamante – Spanish for “diamond” Quest – A search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something Seneca – Named after the largest tribe of the Iroquois confederacy Zephyr – The name given to the West Wind in Greek mythology
2010 Callidora – Gift of Beauty Jemison – In honor of Mary Jemison, an American frontierswoman
2012 Orion – The constellation of “The Hunter”
2013 Baron, Rosetta, Voyager
2014 Tesh, Nettie, Nor’easter, Mercury
2015 Cadence, Genesee, Bronx
2016 Matilda, Aria, Lilac, Leo
2017 Seabreeze, Ontario, Charlotte, Rachel
2018 Mike, Letchworth, Sundara
2019 Lakota, Phoenix, Jupiter, Donna
2020 Roc, Hope, γεράκι
2021 Freyja, Golden
2022 Blaze, Zara, Kanfai Malachim
2023 Sterling, Artemis, Jubilee
2024 Justice, Meng, Walker, Mighty
The deadline for name submissions is 11:59 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
