It’s a boy! Probably.

On June 7, 2011 Joel Jorgensen, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lauren Dinan, Nongame Bird Biologist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Janet Stander, Raptor Recovery Nebraska, and Karl Linderholm, Nebraska falconer, took part in the banding and inspection of the single eyas (Peregrine Falcon chick) being raised by the resident Peregrine Falcon pair nesting atop the Nebraska State Capitol.  Office of the Capitol Commission staff supported the group by providing nest access and protective cover as Joel removed the eyas from the nest box. Once safely inside the Capitol, the team went to work.
Capitol Commission staff fabricated shields on poles to protect the Game and Parks scientists who care for the Peregrines. The Peregrines are the fastest birds on earth and can dive at 200 miles per hour.
The Peregrine parents hover ready to swoop down towards the invaders of their nest.  First Joel examined the eyas feet to determine the sex; as with most raptors, the females are larger and therefore have larger feet. The small feet indicated this eyas was probably a male. The eyas was then banded. Two bands were used, a pink one stamped with a unique 10 digit number assigned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The second band has two colors, and larger numbers and a letter which can be easily read from a distance. The second easily read band provides general identification.
Joel Jorgensen prepares the bands for placement as Lauren Dinan and Karl Linderholm watch.
Banding takes two, one to hold the eyas and one to attach the band. At 20 days old the eyas’ down feathers are being replaced by the darker juvenile wing feathers.  At 40 – 45 days old the young falcon will have grow the feathers necessary for flight. 
Joel places the first band on the eyas, the second band has larger numbers and will be used for general identification. Once the banding was done, Janet with Raptor Recovery, inspected the eyas for parasites and took a blood sample. Karl helped by holding and calming the eyas. The blood was taken as part of an ongoing genetic study being conducted by the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. The eyas had mites, a common occurrence in birds, and was sprayed with an insecticide as a precautionary measure.
Janet and Karl carefully hold the eyas in preparation for their work.
Karl, a Nebraska falconer, knows covering the eyas’ head with a glove will calm the bird.
The eyas wants to see what’s happening and manages to peak out from under the glove.
Like any child at the doctor, the eyas protests getting his medicine. For a brief time before being taken back to his waiting parents the eyas calmly posed for photos. Game and Parks is holding a Name the Chick contest to provide 98/M a name.   
The eyas poses for his official baby pictures before being returned to his nest and awaiting parents.
One of the Peregrine parents hovers over the nest waiting for the eyas safe return.