7/23/2019 Wlf 316 Poster Presentation Final

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Peregrine Falcon

(Falco peregrinus)Amaia Demaray Erica Carlson Jeremy Kestler

IntroductionThe peregrine falcon is the largest falcon throughout

North America. Its aerodynamic morphology allows it

to fly roughly 65 mph, but at speeds >200 mph while

diving. Peregrine falcons hunt by either grabbing itsprey in the air or by diving and stunning the prey with

sheer force. In the wild, it has few natural predators. 3

Peregrine falcons prefer to live near coastal areas, but

will also inhabit tundra, desert, or urban areas where

skyscrapers serve as nesting sites. Peregrine falcons

construct eyries, or scraped out depressions on high

cliffs. 3

The main cause of the population crash was

bioaccumulation of DDT, a pesticide commonly used

until the 1960’s. As DDT built up through the trophic

levels, it led to reproductive failure in peregrine

falcons by causing thinner eggshells. 3

Conservation EffortsThe peregrine falcon was listed as an

endangered species from 1970 – 1999. 2

Human intervention has been the biggestcontribution to their population increase due to

reintroduction and provision of nesting sites.

The peregrine falcon population in California

was increasing in the 1990’s due to fledgling

hacking in the northern and southern

populations. In 2014, it was determined that

the southern populations were increasing at a

slower rate due to remnants of DDT. 5, 6

Urban populations are acting as a source for

the reintroduction back into their historic

range. This dispersal is projected to take place

in 10-20 years. 4

Nesting sites are a limiting factor in peregrine

falcon growth. This is being remedied by

providing nesting sites in the form of trays or

boxes. 1

Overall, peregrine falcon population trends are

increasing. 2

Future Research NeedsBiologists suggest that population

monitoring is essential to determine

when and how management objective

should change.

Research needs to be done on the

variability in production of breeding

individuals. 1

Research should continue to be

conducted in urban areas to ensure that

the peregrine population increase

doesn’t disrupt urban ecology.

Overall, monitoring of the species needs

to continue to observe trends.

Literature Cited1 Gahbauer, M. A., D. M. Bird, K. E. Clark, T. French, D. W. Brauning, and F. A. McMorris. 2015. Productivity, mortality, and management of urban peregrine falcons in northeastern North America. Journal of WildlifeManagement 79:10-19.2 Green, M., T. Swem, M. Morin, R. Mesta, M. Klee, K. Hollar, R. Hazlewood, P. Delphey, R. Currie, and M. Amaral. 2003. Monitoring results for the breeding American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), 2003. US Fish & Wildlife Service, Portland,

Oregon, USA.3 The Nature Conservancy. 2015. Journey with Nature: Peregrine Falcon.

< http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/indiana/journeywithnature/peregrine-falcons.xml> Accessed 6 April 1015.4 Wakamiya, S. M., and C. L. Roy. 2009. Use of monitoring data and population viability analysis to inform reintroduction decisions: peregrine falcons in the Midwestern United States. Biological Conservation 142:1767-1776.5 Wootton, J. T., and D. A. Bell. 1992. A metapopulationmodel of the peregrine falcon in California: viability and management strategies. Ecological Applications 2:307-321.6 Wootton, T., and D. A. Bell. 2014. Assessing predictions of population viability analysis: peregrine falcon populations in California. Ecological Applications 24:1251-1257.

Peregrine falcons often construct eyrieson cliff faces

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