Zeus
Origin of his name:
He is named after the "god of gods" from Greek mythology. When displeased with mere mortals and gods alike, Zeus would hurl down a thunderbolt upon them... similar to how a peregrine dispatches its prey.
Species:
Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon)
Status:
Passed away August 2015. He was injured in summer of 2004, and he came into Willowbrook as a juvenile. He served as a successful educator for 11 years.
Rescue Story:
Admitted as an immature bird in July of 2004 with a vision impairment in his right eye. Probably hit by a car, he was found on Elmhurst on a driveway. He is blind in his right eye, otherwise, he is healthly. He is fully-flighted - so be careful not to let him loose - his species is the fastest on the planet!
All images on this page are also links to high resolution images good for printing.
Favorite Photos:
 |
Zeus as a Youngster. |
 |
Sandy Fejt with Zeus as a youngster. |
 |
Nancy Mores sharing Zeus with some folks.This photo was taken at the '09 thank you picnic for the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors at Willowbrook. In this photo Nancy's talking to Dave Willard (Director of Ornithology at The Field Museum), and Mary Hennen (Collections Assistant in the Bird Division at The Field Museum).
|
 |
Ron with Zeus. |
 |
This photo of Zeus and Anne Marie was taken by Tracy Dopper on a cold day in February '10. Zeus was being "flappy". |
 |
It's very likely Zeus was squacking when this photo was taken, or panting. Pat C. sent this in - maybe she can tell us? (This image is not a link.) |
 |
To the uninitiated, this is a somewhat gruesome photo of Zeus eating a mouse. This photo was taken on February 7, 2010, by one of the illustrators who came to visit and sketch the raptors. They also made some nice sketches of Tonka and Otis which are posted on those raptors' pages. |
 |
This photo of Anne Marie and Zeus was taken during a "program" for nature illustrators on February 7, 2010. Zeus was "flappy" pretty much the entire time. It's possible the big waterbird hanging from the ceiling in the classroom was making Zeus uncomfortable. (This image is not a link.) |
 |
Yeah Tracy! This is a sketch Tracy made of Zeus. |
The six photos below were taken by crane enthusiasts who visited Willowbrook on November 1, 2010. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Zeus photobombing Sue! |
 |
Zeus and Jake chilling on a bench |
 |
Zeus with Steve Dome - Zeus looks serious! |
 |
Zeus with Stephanie on a chilly day! |
 |
Zeus and Glenn - Zeus looks interested in the camera! |
 |
Flappy Zeus with Dee |
Favorite Stories:
Zeus and Animal Planet
Naturalist Ron Skleney, Zeus (the Peregrine Falcon) and volunteers Karen and Mark Evinger traveled to Chicago on June 16, 2006 for a video taping on City Hall’s green roof. The Backyard Habitats series, airing on the Animal Planet channel, were filming for an upcoming show focusing on green roofs. City Hall’s green roof is famous for both the scale of the project as well as its unique placement in a strictly urban setting. The Backyard Habitats producers were interested in highlighting the peregrine’s historical decline and subsequent return to urban settings. Zeus (no stranger to the small screen, having debuted on CBS 2 news last fall) served as an education ambassador, representing the dozens of wild peregrines in the Chicago area.From Anne Marie:
Like all of you, I have often had battles of wit with Zeus. His goal is to get the mouse without getting on the glove. He managed it once, when my hands were so cold, I couldn't hold tightly enough on to the mouse. I usually grip the tail in two places by wrapping it around my finger(s). But I think this rascal knows that if he starts eating at the tail, he might get it away from me yet, so time is of the essence when I'm jessing him. He's so smart - I really like that about him.From Ron:
Did you know that Zeus gets car sick? Ron says everytime he goes to or from a program, he throws up in the van. Poor Zeus... but somehow that's also kinda funny.