Beloved Berkeley Peregrine Falcon Found Dead

BERKELEY, CA — A beloved peregrine falcon was found dead in Berkeley Thursday afternoon, a group that supports the animals confirmed on social media.

Grinnell was among two of the peregrine falcons that since 2017 had nested atop UC Berkeley’s historic Campanile.

Grinnell and his mate, Annie, developed a cult following over the years.

Grinnell’s cause of death is not known, but Cal Falcons believes he was struck by a vehicle based on where he was found, the group said in a statement.

“We are all deeply saddened to report that Grinnell was found dead in downtown Berkeley this afternoon. We are devastated and heartbroken,” Cal Falcons wrote on the group’s Facebook page.

“As we learn more we will be sure to share with our community that has grown to love Grinnell over these past years.”

The group said it’s unlikely their nest will survive.

“Given the timing of this within the breeding season, it is doubtful that this nest will succeed with Annie alone,” Cal Falcons said.

“Over the next few days we will write a more complete remembrance of Grinnell. As you can imagine, like all of you, we are in the process of digesting this incredibly difficult news.”

Late last year, it was unclear whether Annie and Grinnell were going to stay together after Grinnell was attacked by two other falcons and hospitalized and Annie was seen starting pairing behavior with one of them.

But fans were optimistic earlier this year that Annie and Grinnell would stay together.

"They know each other is around," said Mary Malec of Cal Falcons in a statement in early January.

"They have been talking to each other and flying together, but this is the first time anyone has seen courtship behavior between them."

— Bay City News contributed to this report