Status: Recently Recovered (Monitored; Federal Register 59(192):50796-50805)
Description: The Arctic peregrine falcon is very similar to the American peregrine falcon except that it is
slightly smaller and paler.
Life History: The life history characteristics of the Arctic peregrine falcon are the same as the American peregrine
falcon (F. peregrinus anatum) subspecies.
Habitat: The Arctic peregrine falcon breeds on the Arctic tundra. In winter, it inhabits coastlines and
mountains from Florida to South America.
Distribution: The Arctic peregrine falcon breeds on the North American tundra and winters along the Gulf
Coast from Florida west to eastern Mexico. It is also found in winter in Baja California, and south to Chile and Argentina.
In Oklahoma, it is found statewide during spring and fall migration only.
Causes of Decline: The Arctic peregrine falcon has declined because of reproductive failure due primarily
to pesticide poisoning.
Recovery Needs: This species has begun to recover since DDT was banned. Top recovery tasks include
continued monitoring of pesticide levels and breeding success.
Other information: The Arctic peregrine falcon was moved from endangered to threatened status in 1984.
Population increases are due to reduced pesticide levels in the environment. A recovery team has been appointed,
and a recovery plan for Alaska has been approved and is being implemented. This species was delisted in 1994, and is now being monitored as part of a 5-year review plan.
