The Status of the The Status of the Northern Aplomado Northern Aplomado

Falcon and Falcon and Considerations for Considerations for Reintroduction in Reintroduction in Southern ArizonaSouthern Arizona

-Liz Urban-Liz Urban

Aplomado Falcon

❖ Range

❖ From Argentina to southern U.S.

❖ Grasslands

❖ Costal Prairies and Desert Grasslands

❖ Prey

❖ birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles

❖ Old Stick nests

❖ Mated Pairs hold a single territory throughout the year

❖ Cooperative Hunting Strategy http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/Aplo_portrait2.jpg

History ❖ Listed as Endangered

February 25, 1986 ❖ Reasons for decline:

❖ habitat loss❖ loss of prairie dog

colonies❖ DDT❖ Lead Poisoning❖ Power-line electrocution❖ Nest predation by Great

Horned Owls❖ haven’t been seen in AZ

since 1940

(Jenny et. al 2004)

Reintroduction Efforts❖ Goal to downgrade to

“threatened”: to have 60 mated pairs in the wild in the U.S.

❖ The Peregrine Fund: captive breeding program

❖ At about 1 month of age ❖ banded❖ hack box acclimation❖ release and

observation http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/Aplo.jpg

Survival of released birds is Survival of released birds is approximately 70% at 21 approximately 70% at 21

daysdaysFrom Jenny et al. 2004From Jenny et al. 2004

http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/aplomap.jpghttp://www.peregrinefund.org/images/aplomap.jpg

Status of Populations in Texas

❖ Two distinct populations now exist in Texas:❖ Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Area❖ Matagorda Island

❖ In 2006, 56 wild fledglings produced by these two populations

❖ No releases in eastern Texas since 2005

❖ Safe-harbor agreements in New Mexico and western Texas facilitating additional releases

http://www.peregrinefund.org/conserve_category.asp?category=aplomado%20falcon%20restoration

Site Selection Requirements for Additional

Reintroductions❖ Grassland habitat with scattered trees/shrubs

(nesting/perching)

❖ sufficient prey base

❖ minimal hazards

❖ Accessible for logistical support

❖ Sufficient potential habitat in surrounding area to support a population

❖ Land manager or land owner’s willingness to cooperate

(US F&WS 2005)

10j Areas10j Areas-In 2005, proposed -In 2005, proposed experimental/nonessenexperimental/nonessential populations in New tial populations in New Mexico and ArizonaMexico and Arizona

-Public lands in NM and -Public lands in NM and AZAZ

-No releases intended -No releases intended in Arizonain Arizona

http://fws-nmcfwru.nmsu.edu/aplomado/images/http://fws-nmcfwru.nmsu.edu/aplomado/images/small_aplomado_habitat_model.jpgsmall_aplomado_habitat_model.jpg

In Conclusion:

❖ Arizona:

❖ Habitat suitability work needs to be preformed

❖ Fledglings produced and available for release

❖ Management Plan

❖ Federal delisting in the future!?!

Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Thanks to the researches who published their Thanks to the researches who published their

work and Dr. Duek for guidance.work and Dr. Duek for guidance.

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