Peregrine Falcon anatum/tundrius complex

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

NWT List of Species at Risk:

No status

NWT SARC Assessment:

Not At Risk

Federal Species at Risk Act list:

No status

COSEWIC Assessment:

Not at risk

NWT General Status Rank:

Sensitive

Description:

The Peregrine Falcon is a dark-coloured crow-sized bird with long pointed wings, black cheek patches and a dark “cap” on its head.

Weight: Females, 760 to 1,200 g (27 to 42 oz); Males, 600 to 800 g (21 to 28 oz)

Length: 35 to 55 cm (14 to 22 in)

Report Peregrine Falcon sightings to WILDLIFEOBS@gov.nt.ca

Distribution

Range map information

Population size and trends

Peregrine Falcon populations suffered a serious decline in the 1970s due to the wide-spread use of DDT as a pesticide. Reduction in DDT use worldwide and active recovery efforts have helped the species recover. Since the 1970s, populations in Canada have shown continuing increases up to near historical numbers. Populations have increased in the NWT as well, where surveys found a 58% increase in the number of occupied nesting territories from 1990/95 to 2010/15.

The Peregrine Falcon's comeback is a good example of how addressing threats can help species at risk to recover.

Habitat and biology

Peregrine Falcons nest on sheltered ledges or crevices in cliffs near water, in areas with access to prey (mainly birds).

Peregrine Falcons can reach speeds of more than 320 kph when diving for their prey.

Threats

Potential threats in the Northwest Territories include human disturbance at nest sites, development along the Mackenzie River as well as resource exploration or development in other areas, and climate-related events that can affect the survival of chicks, such as heavy rain events and severe black fly infestations.

Other potential threats include susceptibility to DDT and other organochlorine pesticide contamination, poaching of eggs for falconry, declining songbird or seabird prey populations, and emerging diseases.

Protection and recovery

The NWT Species at Risk Committee assessed Peregrine Falcon as Not at Risk in the NWT in 2022.

Peregrine Falcon was previously listed as Threatened in Canada under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Following COSEWIC assessments that determined the status of the species in Canada was improving, Peregrine Falcon was downlisted to Special Concern in 2012 and then removed entirely from the SARA list in 2023.

A national management plan for Peregrine Falcon is available at www.sararegistry.gc.ca. Peregrine Falcons are internationally protected from trade in live birds or bird parts by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Peregrine Falcons, their nests and their eggs are protected under the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act.

Area:

Dehcho, Gwich'in, Inuvialuit, Sahtú, South Slave, North Slave / Tłı̨chǫ

Status Report and Assessment of Peregrine Falcon in the NWT (2022)