One of Melbourne’s beloved Collins St falcons has been released back into the wild, after being rescued and rehabilitated from a misadventure on one of the city’s skyscrapers.
It is the offspring of the latest pair of peregrine falcons to lay their eggs on a ledge atop 367 Collins St since 1991.
The famous falcons have become a worldwide internet sensation, with live-streamed video of them laying and tending their eggs, and raising their young, from August each year.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
But one of the newest fledgling falcons — which had already left the nest — found itself in a spot of trouble last month when it became wedged behind a glass balcony screen on another skyscraper in Melbourne’s CBD.
Wildlife Victoria rescuers said it is not uncommon for juvenile birds to experience misadventures when leaving the nest.
However, when initial attempts to release the juvenile bird back into the wild were unsuccessful, a bigger issue was suspected — and a soft tissue injury to its right wing was discovered.
Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit was contacted, and the bird was taken to the zoo’s veterinary clinic for X-rays and blood tests.
It was then moved to Healesville Sanctuary’s Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, where it was rehabilitated with the help of a 100m flight tunnel that allows birds to build up their fitness before returning to the wild.
“Flight fitness is an important recovery milestone for a bird receiving medical care, to ensure they can hunt for food and avoid predators,” Healesville Sanctuary said.
After receiving anti-inflammatory medication, resting, and building up its flight fitness, the falcon was safety returned to a park near the Yarra River— away from its territorial parents but in familiar territory.
“It’s incredible to have this Raptor Centre and for the zoos to work together so one of the city’s most iconic birds can return to the wild where it belongs,” Healesville Sanctuary Life Sciences manager Gerry Ross.
“The team is thrilled this bird is soaring back through our skies and delighting Melbournians again.”
Peregrine falcons are birds of prey known for their capability to fly in excess of 320km/hour, earning them the title of the fastest animal on earth.
As home to the only known peregrine falcon nesting site within Melbourne’s CBD, 367 Collins St plays an important role in the ongoing breeding success of these rare and fiercely territorial birds, according to building owner Mirvac which provides around-the-clock CCTV footage of the birds when they are in residence.