Population status

Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)

By 1970, the Peregrine Falcon was extirpated throughout its range east of the Rockies and south of the boreal forest, and had declined drastically in northern Canada; a smaller decline occurred along the British Columbia coast (White et al. 2002). Since then, the anatum/tundrius population has increased dramatically as a result of the North American ban on DDT and introductions of captive-bred birds. The Peregrine Falcon is best monitored in Canada through a directed survey that has taken place on the breeding grounds every 5 years between 1970 and 2015. Data from this survey are split between southern and northern anatum/tundrius populations. The southern population has shown a remarkable increase from 1 active nest site in 1970 to 296 sites in 2010 (data from 2015 are not directly comparable due to a reduction in survey coverage; ECCC 2017b). The northern population's increase has been slightly more moderate, from 30 active nest sites in the survey area in 1970 to 401 in 2010 (ECCC 2017b). Results from the Breeding Bird Survey in Canada are insufficient to calculate a reliable trend. However, the population increase is evident in the continental results, which show a 700% increase in the North American population since 1970. This increase is also evident in results from the Christmas Bird Count for both Canada and North America. The pealei subspecies has also been surveyed on its breeding grounds every five years between 1970 and 2015. Results indicate a moderate increase from 62 occupied sites in 1970 to 119 occupied sites in 2015 (ECCC 2017b). The Peregrine Falcon's national population abundance was unacceptably low when monitoring began, as a result of DDT and persecution (Farmer et al. 2008). Because the historical abundance of the species is not well documented, and because the species is largely managed at the subspecies level, a national population goal for the species has not yet been determined. Until such evidence exists that the Peregrine Falcon has fully recovered from the DDT era (i.e., the anatum/tundrius population is self-sustaining and has surpassed levels observed in 2010, ECCC 2017b; and the pealei population reaches 150-200 breeding pairs, ECCC 2017e), both of its subspecies' populations will continue to be considered to be below the lowest acceptable levels.

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Peregrine FalconTo be determinedTo be determinedNot applicable
Peregrine Falcon anatum/tundriusAbundance required for de-listing (SARA)Equal to goalNot applicable
Peregrine Falcon pealei subspeciesAbundance required for de-listing (SARA)Equal to goalNot applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20164.62.36.8
 

British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Additional information on: British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
British Columbia coast1999-2016-4.2-12.74.8
 

Picture of logo Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 3 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20164.225.6
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20162.81.43.7
 

References