Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Conservation Concern 3
The Peregrine Falcon was one of the first species assessed by COSEWIC. It was initially evaluated as three subspecies. In the late 1940s, their populations suffered a rapid decline reducing the populations by 80-90% by the mid-1970s. Following the ban of organochlorine pesticides, populations have recovered to near historical numbers.
Description 3
Peregrine Falcons are about the size of a small hawk, with long, pointed wings. They have black cheek patches and dark “cap” on the top of their head.
Typical Habitat 3
Peregrines primarily hunt waterfowl and shorebirds, so require healthy wetlands, lakes, rivers and oceans to survive. In Yukon, most nest on protected cliff ledges or crevices near water.
Potential Threats 3
Because of their long migrations through a number of countries, peregrines remain highly susceptible to organochlorine pesticide contamination (causes a softening of the eggs and widespread reproductive failure). Human disturbance at nest sites. Loss or degradation of foraging habitat and decline of prey populations. Loss of habitat.
Did You Know? 3
Yukon’s Wildlife Act protects all raptor (predatory bird) eggs, nests and individuals. Therefore it is illegal in Yukon to hunt or possess live Peregrines, possess whole or parts of dead Peregrines, or export individuals, their eggs or parts of peregrine without a permit. Peregrines can reach speeds of more than 320 kph when diving or ‘stooping’ at their prey. “Peregrine” means traveler. They are long-distance migrants - most Yukon Peregrines apparently cross the Gulf of Mexico in migration and will occasionally reach places as far south as Argentina. The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widely distributed bird species in the world.
Peregrine Falcon - A Yukon Success Story 3
The status of certain species has improved, in some cases in a dramatic fashion. In the 1970s, things were not looking good for the Peregrine Falcon. This bird of prey had been declining as a result of the use of pesticides such as DDT, which had been banned in Canada since 1969. In 1975 it was estimated that only 34 breeding pairs remained in Canada. In 1978, the southern (anatum) subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon was designated Endangered by COSEWIC. Dave Mossop, biology instructor at Yukon College and former ornithologist with the Yukon government, was closely involved with the work to save Peregrine Falcons. Dave saw the lowest number in Yukon between 1975 and 1980, when only one bird was found along the Yukon River. But in 1971, the Canadian Wildlife Service established a captive-breeding facility in Wainwright, Alberta. Chicks from these birds were then placed in the nests of breeding pairs of wild falcons, a technique called fostering. In 1978, the first captive-raised peregrine chicks were placed in nests in Yukon. Over the years, more than 1550 chicks were raised in captivity and released into the wild across Canada.
In 1995, only seventeen years after the rst Yukon release, a survey conducted by 30 volunteers estimated that about 200 pairs of peregrines nested in the Peel River and Yukon River watersheds! In 1999, the southern (anatum) subspecies was reclassi ed by COSEWIC as Threatened, a lower risk category. Then, in 2007, after examining the differences between the southern and tundra forms of peregrines, COSEWIC combined them and reassessed them together as Special Concern, a still lower risk category.
Sources and Credits
- (c) David A. Hofmann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/23326361@N04/2974102419/
- (c) Larry Meade, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/34323709@N07/5658504141
- (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Animal | Bird |
|---|---|
| Bird | Birds of Prey (Accipitriformes) |
| Color | grey, white |
