Lovers’ quarrel: This Union County love triangle is for the birds

It’s a soap opera that’s playing out 17 stories above the city of Elizabeth – a love triangle involving three endangered peregrine falcons.

News 12 Staff

Mar 20, 2019, 12:37 AM

Updated 2,025 days ago

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Lovers’ quarrel: This Union County love triangle is for the birds
It’s a soap opera that’s playing out 17 stories above the city of Elizabeth – a love triangle involving three endangered peregrine falcons.
For years a female peregrine falcon dubbed BA 91 has made a home atop the Union County Courthouse with her mate, raising their chicks. The happy couple is live streamed on webcam over the internet for New Jersey fans to watch.
But a few weeks ago major drama went down. Some county workers found BA 91 on the ground with a broken wing. She had been attacked by another female peregrine falcon.
BA 91 was taken to the Raptor Trust in Millington and is still in what could be considered critical condition.
A week later, the attacking female falcon set up in BA 91’s nest with the male falcon and the two birds have engaged in courting behavior.
“Typical male. Somehow it just doesn’t surprise me,” joked one New Jersey resident.
No new eggs have been spotted in the nest just yet, but the new bird couple seems to be getting along just fine.
Meanwhile, BA 91 continues to heal, but the folks at the Raptor Trust say that it is unclear if she will ever fly or live in the wild again.
But, before you feel too bad for BA 91 – there is another twist to this story. BA 91 was once a homewrecker herself. In fact, there have been four females and two males since the falcon nest was established in 2006.
“She kicked the last one out. She came and they had a fight with the first female that was here,” says Michelle Schulz who saw the injured falcon.
Anyone who would like to see how the drama continues to play out can watch the falcons live, 24-7 on the Union County website.