Indiana's Department of Natural Resources recently finished banding efforts for the state's peregrine falcon population. The DNR bands new falcon chicks every summer in order track their growth.
Peregrine falcons were reintroduced to the state in the early 90s.
Currently, the DNR monitors 42 birds across the state that live in nest boxes built on skyscrapers and power plants. This year, the agency banded 40 chicks, which is on par with numbers from recent years.
DNR Non-game Bird Biologist Allisyn Gillet says she's optimistic about the falcon population in Indiana, especially since the bird was taken off the state endangered species list in 2013 after the population stabilized.
"Especially with constant tracking, we'll be able to make sure that their populations are healthy and growing," she says.
Now that the falcon chicks have been banded, Gillet says the DNR will focus on monitoring and tracking them as they grow into adulthood.
Hoosiers can watch the falcons with live cams set up in Indianapolis, Petersburg, and Ft. Wayne.