Glasgow University’s peregrine falcon chick dies from bird flu

A peregrine falcon fledging in Glasgow has died after contracting bird flu.

The young falcon, named after the character Jack from the TV comedy Still Game, hatched on the rooftop of the University of Glasgow tower in April alongside his sibling Victor.

He took unwell at the start of the week, when volunteers at the Glasgow Peregrine Project observed him acting subdued and not eating.

After a rescue project saw Jack lifted from his nest on Wednesday, the SSPCA determined he needed to be put down to ease his suffering.

Jack and Victor’s parents, Bonnie and Clyde, have nested on the rooftop of the university tower each spring since 2022.

Jack and Victor hatched on 27 April, and initially seemed in good health.

However Jack’s condition steadily worsened after first taking ill, including not responding when Clyde attempted to feed him.

The Glasgow Peregrine Project provided updates on the bird after he first seemed unwell.

They later posted: “It is with sadness that we must report that after pulling out all the stops and effecting a rescue, Jack has passed away.

“The University of Glasgow and all the project team have monitored him through the night and worked throughout the day to put the rescue plan in place.

“Work that would ordinarily be done in a month was done in a day to expedite Jack’s care.

“The SSPCA assessed Jack and deemed that he had likely contracted bird flu and sadly, had to put him down to ease his suffering.”

The project will now carry out round the clock monitoring of the rest of the family to monitor their health.