American Peregrine Falcon


Falco peregrinus anatum

Threatened

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Peregrine falcons are a medium sized raptor that hunts mostly small and medium sized birds from the air. The falcon hits its prey at up to 200 mph. The range for these raptors once extended from Alaska to Georgia, but the eastern populations have been expatriated. With the delisting of the falcon, the future looks more hopeful for Peregrines.

USFWS - Craig Koppie

Range

The American Peregrine Falcon is a well-known endangered species. Declines in numbers from DDT and other poisoning pesticides, habitat loss and other human pressures were well publicized. Their recovery was in large part due to efforts of captive breeding programs and releases into the wild. The species was delisted from endangered to threatened in 1999. In addition, their natural habitat of cliffs, riverbanks, trees have been substituted by tall buildings and towers with ledges they can nest on.

Forest Dependence

Peregrines do not depend solely on forests--they hunt over open ground, water, wetlands and fields. However, they do occur on national forest lands in 26 states. Nesting habitat in trees is important for falcon survival, as is the health of the watersheds. Keeping forests healthy will ultimately help the birds of prey such as the American Peregrine falcon.