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The Status of the Northern Aplomado Falcon and Considerations for Reintroduction in Southern Arizona. -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
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The Status of the Northern Aplomado Falcon and Considerations for Reintroduction in Southern Arizona • -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 approximately 70% at 21 days • From Jenny et al. 2004
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 Areas • -In 2005, proposed experimental/nonessential populations in New Mexico and Arizona • -Public lands in NM and AZ • -No releases intended in Arizona http://fws-nmcfwru.nmsu.edu/aplomado/images/small_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!?!
wildbirdsbroadcasting.blogspot.com Acknowledgements • Thanks to the researches who published their work and Dr. Duek for guidance.