American
Peregrine Falcon
Falco
peregrinus anatum
Threatened
Story
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.