FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 19, 2023 – With a watchful eye and loud, angry squawking, peregrine falcon parents Jamie (father) and Moxie (mother) watched protectively as their three chicks were briefly removed from the nest atop Indiana Michigan Center (IMPC) to receive their identification bands and names: Marshmallow, Squirt and Stewart.

Working together, the Indiana Audubon Society, Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation (based in Fort Wayne) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) banded the one female and two male chicks. This marks the 10th year Jamie and Moxie have nested atop Fort Wayne’s tallest building. Since 1996, 69 chicks have hatched and been banded atop IMPC.  When falcons mature, they can settle up to 200 miles away from the nest where they were hatched, and the numbered bands help track their movements. It’s believed one of Jamie’s and Moxie’s offspring, Flash, has his own nest and chicks in downtown South Bend. Another, Carla, was recently spotted in Pittsburgh.

I&M asked The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne to pick out several potential names for the chicks and then voting opened on our social media channels for fans. After more than 1,800 votes, Marshmallow, Squirt and Stewart are the official names.

 "This is such a special event for the community, employees and bird watchers from around the globe each year,” said Stephanny Smith, I&M’s director of Communications. “We love seeing the chicks, bringing everyone together and educating our community on the falcons that can be seen high above our city. We hope we can continue this tradition and the enrichment it provides for years to come.”

 The falcon chicks are fully fledged 5-6 weeks after hatching, and typically leave the nest a few months later. Since Jamie and Moxie returned to the nest in March, more than 45,000 views have been recorded on our FalconCam. You can watch the falcon family in their nest 24/7 at www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/FalconCam

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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2022 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.6 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,000 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.