For the first time in their very young lives, four peregrine falcon chicks left the nest in the name of science.

Members of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation hoisted the chicks down from the underbelly of the Ambassador Bridge Thursday morning for the species annual banding.

The 25-day-old falcons are part of a scientific study, which is keeping track of the bird’s lineage. Officials say without the bans the birds could be at risk.

“They cannot be harvested as they fly across the United States or South America because they're a part of a scientific study that's being done,” says Dennis Patrick. “Without those, falconers, breeders and anybody that's interested in live peregrines can harvest our first year birds.”

The male and three females were named Lancaster, Maya, Shibeksi and Sojourner. In just a few short weeks, officials expect these baby falcons to take flight and that's when the real work begins.

 “Once they start, they almost always go to the ground so that's why we have to try and stop the traffic and try pick them up and put them in a cage if we have to,” says Paul Patoine.