Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies

Description
Falcons are birds of prey that are smaller and more streamlined than hawks, with long pointed wings that enable them to fly at great speed.  The Peregrine is a crow-sized falcon.  A blackish "moustache" (black stripe below the eye) and bluish-grey or slate-coloured upperparts characterize adults of both sexes.  The underparts are white to buff with brown bars on the sides and thighs, and spots on the abdomen; the underside of the wing is white with black bars. Young peregrines have a blackish moustache, brownish upperparts, a dark brown tail with buff-coloured bars and white tips, and buff-coulored underparts with blackish-brown streaks. The three subspecies are similar, differing slightly in colouration and size; the anatums are medium-sized, coloured buffy-salmon on the breast, and often have black cheeks.

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Canadian Distribution of the Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies
(shown in red) 1,2

Distribution is approximate and not intended for legal use.

1Author: Canadian Wildlife Service, 2004
2Data Sources: The main source of information and data is the COSEWIC Status Report. In many cases additional data sources were used; a complete list will be available in the future.

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Distribution and Population

The three subspecies have distinct geographic distributions.  The Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies, also known as the American peregrine, breeds south of the treeline in Alaska and Canada, throughout most of the U.S.A., and from central to south Mexico.  The northern birds winter from Mexico south to southern South America.  This subspecies was extirpated from most of eastern Canada, southern Alberta, Manitoba, and the interior of British Columbia.  Precipitous declines in peregrine populations in North America were associated with the widespread, intensive use of persistent organochlorine compounds, particularly the pesticide DDT.  Levels of organochlorine contamination have declined substantially since restrictions were put in place in 1970. 

In 2000, an estimated 500 pairs of Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies nested in Canada.  Releases of captive-bred peregrines from 1974 to 1996 were important in population recovery of the subspecies.

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Habitat
The habitat requirements of the Peregrine Falcon can be divided into three components: 1) the nest site: nests are usually scrapes made on cliff ledges on steep cliffs, usually near wetlands -- including artificial cliffs such as quarries and buildings; 2) the nesting territory: the area defended around the nest prevents other pairs from nesting within 1 km or more, ensuring adequate food for all nesting pairs and their young; the density of nests tends to be related to food availability; 3) the home range: the extended, non-defended area in which the peregrines hunt for additional food and which can extend to 27 km from the nest; peregrines prefer open habitats such as wetlands, tundra, savanna, sea coasts and mountain meadows, but will also hunt over open forest.

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Biology
Peregrine Falcons begin breeding in their second year.  Although the average lifespan is 4 to 5 years, some birds have been known to live much longer.  Clutch size varies from 2 to 5 eggs, increasing southwards.  The reproductive cycle of the three subspecies is similar, the main difference being in the timing of events: Peregrine Falcon pealei subspecies' lay eggs during April, boreal forest peregrines lay in May, and Arctic birds lay in mid-June.  Renesting will occur in southern populations if the eggs are destroyed early in the incubation period.  Peregrines are excellent hunters that feed almost entirely on birds, usually catching them in flight.

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Threats
The major cause of decline of Peregrine Falcon populations was the presence of agricultural pesticides, especially organochlorine compounds, in the environment. These compounds cause egg-shell thinning, egg breakage, reduced hatching success, reduced brood-size and reduced breeding success.  Since Peregrine Falcons are at the top of the food chain, their tissues accumulate a great deal of these substances.  Organochlorine contamination is no longer a major limiting factor for peregrines.  Current threats include the small population size and the diminishing quality of habitat.  Locally, peregrines may be affected by destruction of breeding sites and breeding areas, or by human intrusion near nest sites.

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Protection
The Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). More information about SARA, including how it protects individual species, is available in the Species at Risk Act: A Guide.

The Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies occurs on numerous federal lands protected under SARA.  It also occurs in many national parks, where it is protected by the Canada National Parks Act. In Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, it is protected by Endangered Species Acts.  Under these Acts, it is prohibited to kill, harass, or collect this species, or to disturb its habitat.  The Wildlife Acts of British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories provide protection from collection and harassment.  The species is protected from hunting in Nunavut, except by native people, who hunt the peregrine rarely for ceremonial purposes.  Nunavut also legally protects the falcon from live possession and trade. 

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Other Protection or Status

The Peregrine Falcon is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which sets controls on the international trade and movement of species that have been, or may be, threatened due to commercial exploitation.

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Recovery Initiatives

Status of Recovery Planning

Recovery Strategies :
	Name National Recovery Strategy for the Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies (Falco peregrinus anatum) Status Submitted for peer review/ review by F/P/T partners Number of Action Plans 1

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Population Estimates

Recovery Team

Alberta Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team

Gordon Court - Chair - Government of Alberta
Phone: 780-422-9536  Fax: 780-422-9685  Send Email

Comité de rétablissement du Faucon pèlerin au Québec

François Shaffer - Member - Environment Canada
Isabelle Gauthier - Contact - Government of Quebec

Peregrine Falcon (Anatum) Recovery Team

Geoff Holroyd - Chair - Environment Canada
Phone: 780-951-8689  Fax: 780-495-2615  Send Email

Diane Amirault - Member - Environment Canada
Ted Armstrong - Member - Government of Ontario
Madeline Austen - Member - Environment Canada
Daniel Banville - Member - Government of Quebec
David Bird - Member - University or college
Cam Zimmer - Member - Parks Canada
Joe Brazil - Member - Government of NL
Alain Caissie - Member - Parks Canada
Suzanne Carrière - Member - Government of NT
Myke Chutter - Member - Government of BC
Gordon Court - Member - Government of Alberta
Ken De Smet - Member - Government of Manitoba
Mark Elderkin - Member - Government of Nova Scotia
John Elliott - Member - Environment Canada
Sue McAdam - Member - Government of Saskatchewan
François Shaffer - Member - Environment Canada
M. Gahbauer - Member - Conservation organization (NGO)
Thomas Jung - Member - Government of Yukon
Mike Setterington - Member - Government of Nunavut
Tracy Maconachie - Member - Other
Dave Mossop - Member - University or college
Mark Nash - Member - Conservation organization (NGO)
Chris Risley - Member - Government of Ontario
Dwayne Sabine - Member - Government of New Brunswick
Laird Shutt - Member - Environment Canada
Robert Wenting - Member - Environment Canada
Daniel Banville - Member - Government of Quebec
Ursula Banasch - Secretary - Environment Canada

Quebec Birds of Prey Recovery Team

Alain Lachapelle - Chair - Government of Quebec
Phone: 418-727-3511  Fax: 418-727-3849  Send Email

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Recovery Progress and Activities

Summary of Progress to Date

Captive breeding and re-introduction of the anatum Peregrine Falcon between 1972 and 1996 was very effective.  In 1996, the Canadian Wildlife Service captive breeding facility at Wainwright closed after 25 years, in recognition of recovering Peregrine Falcon populations and reduced threats from organochlorine contaminants. The facility produced more than 1550 young for release across Canada.  The annual release of young falcons from captive breeding facilities was largely responsible for the re-established Peregrine Falcon populations throughout southern Canada.

Peregrine Falcon populations have been re-established in six geographic zones within their historical range in Canada.  Wild populations are expected to continue to expand within their historical range. In 1999, with more than 320 pairs breeding in the wild in Canada, the anatum subspecies was down-listed to Threatened, to reflect the Peregrine Falcon’s improved status.

Summary of Research/Monitoring Activities

Peregrine Falcon population surveys were conducted every five years between 1970 and 2000 in most regions of Canada.  In 2005, a survey was done in all regions of Canada and existing population numbers were obtained.  Currently, the population size and reproductive success of this species is being monitored at several locations throughout the country and individual birds are being tracked using satellite telemetry.

A study of the effects of human disturbance on falcon rearing at Lyster Lake, Quebec, was initiated in 2001.  Other studies include investigating the genetic basis for recognizing three Peregrine Falcon subspecies in Canada, and the possibility that other Peregrine Falcon subspecies are now represented in the anatum genotype of populations in eastern Canada.

Birdwatchers of the Association québécoise des groupes d’ornithologues conduct annual surveys at most of the Peregrine Falcon nest sites in southern Québec.

Summary of Recovery Activities

Up until 1996, re-introduction programs using captive-raised young Peregrine Falcons took place in Quebec, Alberta, Ontario, and the Maritimes. 

Between 1998 and 2000, peregrines were re-introduced into the Okanagan Valley through the release program in Kelowna, BC; four wild pairs were recorded in the BC interior in 2005.  Stewardship and awareness of the Peregrine Falcon, and other species at risk, are being promoted in Labrador.

Many recovery activities have been initiated in Québec since 2001.  In addition to Quebec, recovery activities have been initiated in Sutton area (Corridor Appalachien), Lyster lake (by Passion-Faune), Laval (by Éco-Nature), Mont Saint-Hilaire (by Centre de la nature du Mont-Saint-Hilaire), Mont Saint Bruno (by Fondation du Mont-Saint-Bruno), rivière au Saumon area (by Société de conservation du corridor naturel de la rivière au Saumon), and Mont Rougemont ( by Nature-Action Québec).  Conservation projects also are implemented in protected areas such as Parc national du Bic, National Wildlife Area of Cap Tourmente, Parc marin du Saguenay.  Recovery actions include climbing prohibitions, agreements with land owners, establishment of a buffer zone around wildlife habitat areas, modification of the trail layout, and a public awareness program.

URLs

The Canadian Peregrine Foundation:
www.peregrine-fou ndation.ca

University of Calgary:  Peregrine Falcon Home Page:
http://www.ucal gary.ca/~tull/falcon/

The New Brunswick Museum:  The Peregrine Falcon in New Brunswick:
http:/ /www.gnb.ca/0130/english/stories01.html

Manitoba’s Species at Risk:  Peregrine Falcon:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/w ildlife/managing/pdf/peregrine_falcon.pdf

Hinterland Who's Who: Peregrine Falcon: http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?pid=1&cid=7&id=60

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