UT Tower Falcon May Have Finally Found True Love

​Valentine's Day may be over, but for the peregrine falcon that lives in the UT Tower, it may be the beginning of a love story.

Nicknamed "Tower Girl," the falcon has a unique situation: due to injuries, she has never migrated north for the summer and has lived by herself in the Tower for more than eight years. Neither has she ever reproduced, because although she has had several suitors over the past few years, none have stayed with her to raise a family.

But this year, Tower Girl might have finally found the one. Bird watchers have noticed a male falcon frequently visiting Tower Girl's perch, even dropping in on Valentine's Day to fly around with her.

"These birds pair for life so we expect them to stay together for a while," Tim Kiett, professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, said in an interview with KXAN.

Kiett explained that prior to settling down, the birds will engage in a set of rituals in order to establish their bond.

"Part of that is flying–they will soar, the male will do aerobatic type flights to impress the female and he sometimes will bring her prey that he's captured," Keitt said.

While it's still uncertain whether Tower Girl can still reproduce, bird watchers are hoping that this year, Tower Girl can finally realize her dream of raising a family.

"That would be terrific and I wish them the best in their nesting," Keitt said. 

Read more: 

At long last, is motherhood approaching for UT falcon? (Austin American-Statesman)

UT Tower falcon could finally be settling down (KXAN)