Response Statement - Peregrine Falcon pealei subspecies

January 13, 2019

Common Name: Peregrine Falcon pealei subspecies
Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus pealei

Status assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC): Special Concern

How the Minister of the Environment intends to respond to the assessment: The above assessment confirms the classification of the Peregrine Falcon pealei subspecies on the List of Wildlife Species at Risk (Schedule 1) as Special Concern. Activities will continue to be undertaken in a manner consistent with the purposes of, and according to the timelines identified in, the Species at Risk Act.

Reason(s) for status designation provided by COSEWIC: This subspecies occurs along much of the British Columbia coastline. Despite a continuing increase in numbers, its population remains small. However, a large portion of the population breeds in protected areas, and there is a high probability of rescue from the United States. Conversely, there remains concern that oil spills, or other factors that are capable of reducing seabird populations upon which they prey could result in the subspecies declining.

Occurrence: British Columbia

Competent Minister(s):
Minister of Environment
Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency

Other applicable legislation:  When the species is found within national parks of Canada or other lands administered by the Parks Canada Agency, it is protected or managed under the Canada National Parks Act or through measures or management tools available to the Parks Canada Agency under other legislation.

Conservation activities underway: The Management Plan for the Peregrine Falcon pealei subspecies (Falco peregrinus pealei) in Canada is published as final on the Species at Risk Public Registry. The Peregrine Falcon pealei subspecies is also included in three Parks Canada Agency multi-species action plans (The Multi-species Action Plan for Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada, The Multi-species Action Plan for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, and the Multi-species Action Plan for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada) available on the Species at Risk Public Registry.