A mated pair of peregrine falcons that regularly roosted atop a tower at UC Berkeley haven’t been seen in almost two months.
Bird flu has arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area in many animals, including (possibly) humans as well. The certain type of influenza, now commonly referred to as H5N1 — sans its strain-specific nomenclature — is essentially fatal to most birds that become infected; mammals, like cows and rats, seem to have less severe symptoms, but can more easily act as asymptomatic vectors. In humans, H5N1 spans the gamut of lethality; in particular, the flu illness is particularly deadly to children and the elderly but still has an estimated death rate north of 50% — comparatively ten or so times more deadly than COVID.
It seems that no terrestrial or aerial animal is safe from H5N1 these days. Now, it appears a pair of famous SF Bay Area falcons are perhaps the latest victims to succumb to this flu.
A famous female falcon that has lived atop UC Berkeley’s Campanile bell tower for years has been missing in recent weeks along with her latest mate, and experts who monitor the birds worry that they might have fallen victim to the highly contagious avian flu.
Annie, a peregrine falcon that has lived atop UC Berkeley’s Campanile bell tower since 2016, and her new partner Archie haven’t been spotted in almost two months, according to the group of scientists and volunteers who track the pair. Cal Falcons, the group in question, had noticed Annie and Archie’s absence was “abnormal” earlier this year; peregrine falcons usually have defined territories and breeding patterns and, when healthy, don’t stay away from their homesite for more than a few days.
The group has operated three 24/7 webcams on the tower, and not a single one has picked up their movement since the start of 2025. The larger, looming question remains: Did they fall victim to the bird flu?
Cal Falcons noted on social media that globally speaking, peregrines have been hit pretty hard by the bird flu, likely in part because of the species’s proximity to shorebirds and waterfowl — two of the more prominent vectors of H5N1.
But the last time they were seen on camera, both individuals appeared healthy.
“We’ve seen no evidence of a sick/dying bird at the tower, and the last time Annie and Archie were seen, both looked to be healthy,” reads a post on Instagram by the group. “Volunteers have checked for bodies at many of their favorite roosts and have not found anything.”
It’s also possible that the two found a new home territory; per the group, 40% of peregrine falcon home ranges in the SF Bay Area remain unoccupied.
However, it’s still possible that Annie and Archie might have tragically succumbed to HPAI. And with the odds not exactly in their favor, each passing day without a sighting of those two only reels that potential reality in closer.
Feature image: Courtesy of Cal Falcons
Hoping for the best. They would be missed by many people if true.