Peregrine falcon (pealei and anatum/tundrius) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13

Technical Summary: Falco peregrinus anatum/tundrius

Falco peregrinus anatum/tundrius

Peregrine Falcon anatum /tundrius – Faucon pèlerin anatum/tundrius

Range of Occurrence in Canada:

All Canadian provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island

Extent and Area Information

Extent of occurrence (EO) (km²)
9 million km². Based on portion of Canada’s 9.97 million km² land mass occupied by Anatum/Tundrius
Specify trend in EO
Stable
Are there extreme fluctuations in EO?
No
Area of occupancy (AO) (km²)
Minimum 276,500 km². Minimum - based on home range of 500 km² multiplied by the number of occupied nest sites counted in the 2005 national survey (596)
Specify trend in AO
Increasing
Are there extreme fluctuations in AO?
N/A
Number of known or inferred current locations
N/A
Specify trend in #
N/A
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations?
Stable
Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat

Population Information

Generation time (average age of parents in the population)
4-6 years
Number of mature individuals
Minimum - based on number of occupied nest sites counted in the 2005 national survey (Anatum 969; Tundrius 199). Minimum 1168, likely several thousand additional birds
Total population trend:
Stable to increasing
% decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations.
0
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?
No
Is the total population severely fragmented?
No
Specify trend in number of populations
N/A
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations?
N/A
List populations with number of mature individuals in each:

Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)

  • Organochlorine pesticide contamination leading to reproductive failure, controlled now but potential for problems in the future as new pesticides are permitted in Canada
  • Possibility of increasing DDT use in overwintering areas, in an attempt to combat malaria.

Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)

Status of outside population(s)?
USA: Recovered to near historic levels
Is immigration known or possible?
Yes
Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?
Yes
Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?
Yes
Is rescue from outside populations likely?
Yes

Quantitative Analysis

None available

Current Status

COSEWIC: Anatum/Tundrius : Special Concern (2007); Anatum: Threatened (1999); Tundrius: Special Concern (1992)

Status and Reason for Designation

Status: Special Concern

Alpha-numeric code: not applicable

Reason for Designation: Continental populations of this species have shown continuing increases in population size since the 1970s up to near historical numbers. Population thresholds for downlisting have been achieved for both the tundrius and anatum subspecies. This recovery has been the result of reintroductions across much of southern Canada and natural increases in productivity following the ban in Canada of organochlorine pesticides (e.g. DDT), the primary factor responsible for the historic decline. These pesticides continue to be used on the wintering grounds, and continue to be found in peregrine tissues, albeit at levels that do not significantly affect reproductive success. The unknown effects of new pesticides regularly licensed for use in Canada are also a concern.

Applicability of Criteria

  • Criterion A: (Declining Total Population): Does not meet criterion.
  • Criterion B: (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): Does not meet criterion.
  • Criterion C: (Small Total Population Size and Decline): Does not meet criterion.
  • Criterion D: (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): Does not meet criterion.
  • Criterion E: (Quantitative Analysis): None available.

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