Quick Answer
The northern aplomado falcon is classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List and is protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Its population has declined dramatically over the past century due to habitat loss and other threats. Though conservation efforts have helped stabilize and restore some populations, the northern aplomado falcon remains at risk of extinction throughout its range.
Overview of the Northern Aplomado Falcon
The northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) is a striking raptor distinguished by its blue-gray back, barred white underside, and black “moustache mark” on its face. It measures around 16-20 inches long with a wingspan of around 40 inches (Fish and Wildlife Service 1990).
This agile falcon once thrived across open grasslands and savannas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its diet consists mainly of birds, insects, and small mammals. The northern aplomado falcon usually nests on yuccas, trees, utility poles, and other tall structures. The female typically lays 2-3 eggs per clutch. The young fledge after about 5 weeks (American Bird Conservancy 2022).
This subspecies of aplomado falcon is separated geographically from the more southern and widespread Falco femoralis femoralis in Central and South America. The dividing line between the two subspecies is roughly around the southern tip of the Mexican state of Sonora (Keddy-Hector 2000).
Population Decline and Endangered Species Protections
The northern aplomado falcon has suffered a catastrophic decline over the past century. It completely disappeared across the American Southwest by the 1950s. Habitat destruction and degradation, pesticides and other contamination, and human disturbance are the primary causes. The widespread loss of coastal prairie and grassland habitat had an especially devastating impact on this species. Other threats include collision with vehicles and powerlines, illegal capture for the pet trade, and climate change (Fish and Wildlife Service 1990, Keddy-Hector 2000).
In the United States, the northern aplomado falcon was federally listed as an endangered species in 1986 under the Endangered Species Act. This law prohibits killing, harming, or otherwise “taking” endangered animals and plants. It also requires conservation plans for recovery. A coalition of conservation groups petitioned for the listing due to the alarming disappearance of the falcon. Initially, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied the petition, but eventually gave endangered status following a lawsuit (Earthjustice 2012).
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a recovery plan for the falcon in 1990. This outlined conservation strategies such as breeding in captivity, reintroducing populations, protecting and restoring habitat, and reducing threats like pesticides. The plan set a goal of downlisting from endangered to threatened status once three viable breeding populations are established across the falcon’s U.S. range (Fish and Wildlife Service 1990).
The northern aplomado falcon has broader legal protections in Mexico. It is classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List and protected under Mexico’s highest threat category for wildlife. Nonetheless, its population continues to decline across northern Mexico (BirdLife International 2016).
Current Status of Populations
Decades of conservation efforts have succeeded in restoring northern aplomado falcon populations in some areas through captive breeding and reintroduction. There are now two reintroduced populations in southern Texas along the Gulf Coast and inland edges of the Chihuahuan Desert. The coastal Texas population has grown to around 50 breeding pairs as of 2015. The inland population is smaller with around 20 breeding pairs as of 2013 (American Bird Conservancy 2022).
A tiny remnant population of an estimated 4-10 pairs also persists in the wild in southern New Mexico’s Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. This is the last known naturally occurring population in the U.S. (Peregrine Fund 2019).
In Mexico, a few hundred northern aplomado falcons remain concentrated mostly in the northern states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. However other areas across its Mexican range now have only occasional sightings or no longer have evidence of breeding. Habitat loss and poisoning from pesticides continue to pose threats (BirdLife International 2016).
Overall, the total global population across the U.S. and Mexico likely numbers fewer than 1,500 wild individuals. The reintroduced populations are slowly increasing thanks to sustained management, but long-term viability remains uncertain. The species as a whole is nowhere near the recovery criteria to downlist its endangered status (BirdLife International 2016).
Threats and Challenges to Recovery
Even with the progress of reintroduction programs, the northern aplomado falcon still faces a combination of ongoing and emerging threats posing barriers to full recovery:
– **Habitat loss and degradation:** The widespread destruction and fragmentation of coastal grasslands and interior desert grasslands continues, driven by urban and agricultural expansion in the breeding range of this falcon. Habitat loss reduces available nesting sites and foraging areas.
– **Pesticides and pollutants:** Pesticides and other agricultural chemicals accumulate in prey and compromise falcon health and reproduction. Lead poisoning from hunters’ bullets left in carcasses also poses risks. Oil spills and other pollution events can destroy habitat.
– **Human disturbance:** Humans disrupt nesting with close proximity to nest sites, affecting breeding success. Falcon-human conflicts sometimes lead to nest relocations or removals. Recreation impacts breeding.
– **Supply of captive-bred falcons:** The finite supply from breeding programs may limit reintroduction scale. Only 150 falcons were available for release from 2003-2013 for example (Peregrine Fund 2019).
– **Climate change:** Rising temperatures and increased drought projected for the Southwest will likely degrade grasslands. Declining rainfall reduces prey availability for the falcon. Sea level rise further shrinks coastal breeding habitat.
– **Other threats:** Collisions with vehicles and powerlines, illegal capture for the pet trade, disease, loss of genetic diversity, and poor public awareness of this falcon’s plight present additional challenges.
Overcoming these threats to establish multiple large, self-sustaining wild populations is essential for the long-term recovery of the northern aplomado falcon. Ongoing habitat conservation and restoration, public education, and mitigation of dangers will be critical. With intensive management, this rare raptor may eventually rebound, but it remains a conservation-reliant endangered species for now.
Conclusion
In summary, the northern aplomado falcon is classified as endangered and faces high risk of extinction in the near future if not for continued human intervention. Though small populations have been restored in portions of its former range, habitat loss, pesticides, human disturbance, climate change, and other threats continue hampering recovery. Sustained conservation action will be vital for the northern aplomado falcon to once again thrive across its native grasslands and savannas. Removing its endangered status is a distant goal that depends on establishing multiple resilient wild populations through strategic management of remaining threats and habitat pressures.
Scientific Name | Falco femoralis septentrionalis |
IUCN Status | Endangered |
U.S. Endangered Species Act Status | Endangered (listed 1986) |
Historic Range | Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico |
Current Range | Small parts of southern New Mexico and Texas; northern Mexico |
Population Estimate | Fewer than 1,500 total adults |
Main Threats | Habitat loss and degradation, pesticides, human disturbance, climate change, vehicle collisions, powerline collisions, pet trade, disease |