From afar, the falcons look a little like pigeons, but with more pointed wing tips. They have slate-colored backs and barred, spotted breasts.
Young birds are brown rather than grey, and heavily streaked.
On June 2, Hennen clambered up and out a window onto an outside ledge of the 28th floor of University Hall, where she placed the chicks in a pet carrier for a trip inside. Hennen and Lincoln Park Zoo veterinary staff took blood samples and placed identifying bands on their legs. It's frightening to them, but it doesn't physically hurt them. Each bird is identified by letters and numbers, which are registered with its name at the University of Minnesota's Raptor center. As landlords to the new family, UIC was given the privilege of naming two of the three falcons.