Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: FALCON, PEREGRINE

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: FALCONIFORMES

Family: FALCONIDAE

Genus: FALCO

Species: PEREGRINUS

SubSpecies: TUNDRIUS

Taxonomic Authority: TRUNSTALL

Taxonomy References: 002 , 020

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G4

Status References: 020 , 030 , 031 , 033 , 023 , 024

Habitat Summary

"Require open country for hunting. Use open woodlands. Historically nested on cliffs. Tall buildings with nest sites free of human disturbance are also suitable."

Primary Habitat: "Savanna/Shrub/Woodland - woodl"

References: 021 , 022

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Rare transient, casual winter resident, accidental summer resident *01*. Reintroduction program started in 1991; first nesting in state after reintroduction occurred in 1997 *31*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ATCHISON ADAIR
BOLLINGER ANDREW
BOONE AUDRAIN
BUCHANAN BARRY
CAMDEN BARTON
CHARITON BATES
CHRISTIAN BENTON
CLAY BUTLER
CLINTON CALDWELL
COOPER CALLAWAY
CRAWFORD CAPE GIRARDEAU
GASCONADE CARROLL
GREENE CARTER
HENRY CASS
HOLT CEDAR
JACKSON CLARK
JEFFERSON COLE
LAWRENCE DADE
LINCOLN DALLAS
MARION DAVIESS
MCDONALD DEKALB
MERCER DENT
MILLER DOUGLAS
MISSISSIPPI DUNKLIN
NODAWAY FRANKLIN
PERRY GENTRY
ST. CHARLES GRUNDY
ST. CLAIR HARRISON
ST. LOUIS HICKORY
STODDARD HOWARD
TANEY HOWELL
VERNON IRON
JASPER
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LEWIS
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STONE
SULLIVAN
TEXAS
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 010 , 011 , 012 , 013 , 015 , 016 , 017 , 031 , 032 , 014 , 018 , 037 , 039

Distribution by Watersheds

South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest
ALL

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Limestone Bluff and Cave
Perennial Grass (Warm season)
Perennial Grass (cool-season)

References for Habitat Types: 021 , 022 , 025

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Prairie
Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Chert Prairie
Dry Chert Prairie
Dry-Mesic Chert Prairie
Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry-Mesic Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Sand Prairie
Dry Sand Prairie
Dry-Mesic Sand Prairie
Hardpan Prairie
Primary
Cliff
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Moist Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Dry Sandstone Cliff
Moist Sandstone Cliff
Dry Chert Cliff
Moist Chert Cliff

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 021 , 022 , 025

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Leporidae (rabbits); Juvenile stage
Amphibians; Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Soricidae (shrews); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Anseriformes (swans, geese, and ducks); Not Specified
Tetraonidae (grouse and ptarmigan); Not Specified
Charadriiformes; Not Specified
Columbiformes (pigeons and doves); Not Specified
Passeriformes; Not Specified
Corvidae (jays, magpies, and crows); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Leporidae (rabbits); Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 020 , 021 , 022 , 038

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 021 , 026

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 021 , 026

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 020 , 021 , 027 , 031 , 026

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Snags
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 021 , 028 , 035 , 026

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Snags
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 021 , 026

Niche Requirement Summary

Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Snags
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
028 Hunt over an area with radius up to 16 km *21*
031 Mortality highest during 1st year *21*, mortality of juveniles 70%, adults 25% *26*. Brood size appears to have no effect on the probability of survival of newly fledged young *36*. In CA, survival rate for 2nd years and adults was 86%; for urban-born 1st years, survival was 65%, and for rural-born 1st years it was 28%. *038*
033 Usually seen in MO during spring and fall migration, often in association with concentrations of shorebirds and waterfowl *20*
035 Nest predators include raccoons, great horned owl *26*. Diseases include botulism and trichomoniasis *21,26* myiasis, and filaria *21*. Parasites include lice, flies, roundworms, and spiny-headed worms *21*. Pesticide buildup results in decreased nest success, decreased breeding, and thinning of eggshells *21*
099 Young fledge at 5-6 weeks, remain dependant on parents approximately 30 days after fledging *26*. Average life span 4-5 years *26*.
022 Mature at 2 or 3 years *21*
005 Perch on snags to spot prey *28*
011 Natural nest sites are cliffs, ledges *27,22*
013 Often return to same nest site *27*. In the midwest, 111/147 birds fledged from buildings selected buildings as nest sites; 14/23 fledged on cliffs selected cliffs; 6/8 fledged on smokestacks selected smokestacks. Females were more likely than males to choose a nest site different from their fledging site. *34*. Nests in skyscrapers and bridges *038*.
014 Nest height 10-300 feet *26*
017 Incubation 32 days *26*, 30 days *27*
018 Clutch size 2-6 *27* usually 4 *26,27*

Life History Information

Home range size specified in comments(028)
Mortality rate specified in comments(031)
Migration patterns specified in comments(033)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: spring/fall/winter
Seasonal distribution in state: neotropical migrants
Foraging strategy: hawking
Foraging sites: air
Foraging sites: snags
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Mating system: monogamy
Duration of pair bond: pair for life
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest/den/spawning site tenacity specified in comments(013)
Nest height specified in comments(014)
Nest materials: no nest structure
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: both parents
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Sex ratio: 1:1

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
028 Hunt over an area with radius up to 16 km *21*
031 Mortality highest during 1st year *21*, mortality of juveniles 70%, adults 25% *26*. Brood size appears to have no effect on the probability of survival of newly fledged young *36*. In CA, survival rate for 2nd years and adults was 86%; for urban-born 1st years, survival was 65%, and for rural-born 1st years it was 28%. *038*
033 Usually seen in MO during spring and fall migration, often in association with concentrations of shorebirds and waterfowl *20*
035 Nest predators include raccoons, great horned owl *26*. Diseases include botulism and trichomoniasis *21,26* myiasis, and filaria *21*. Parasites include lice, flies, roundworms, and spiny-headed worms *21*. Pesticide buildup results in decreased nest success, decreased breeding, and thinning of eggshells *21*
099 Young fledge at 5-6 weeks, remain dependant on parents approximately 30 days after fledging *26*. Average life span 4-5 years *26*.
022 Mature at 2 or 3 years *21*
005 Perch on snags to spot prey *28*
011 Natural nest sites are cliffs, ledges *27,22*
013 Often return to same nest site *27*. In the midwest, 111/147 birds fledged from buildings selected buildings as nest sites; 14/23 fledged on cliffs selected cliffs; 6/8 fledged on smokestacks selected smokestacks. Females were more likely than males to choose a nest site different from their fledging site. *34*. Nests in skyscrapers and bridges *038*.
014 Nest height 10-300 feet *26*
017 Incubation 32 days *26*, 30 days *27*
018 Clutch size 2-6 *27* usually 4 *26,27*

References for life history: 001 , 003 , 020 , 021 , 022 , 027 , 028 , 031 , 034 , 036 , 038 , 026 , 039

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Grassland - other (specify in comments)
Urban - develop/maintain artificial nesting sites
Agricultural - other (specify in comments)

Beneficial Management References: 021 , 022 , 027 , 029 , 026

Adverse Managment Practices:

Shrub/brush - application of herbicides
Shrub/brush - application of pesticides
Shrub/brush - application of insecticides
Agricultural - application of herbicides
Agricultural - application of pesticides
Agricultural - application of insecticides
Grassland - application of herbicides
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides

Adverse Management References: 003 , 021 , 022 , 027 , 026

Comments on Management:
Beneficial to restrict human disturbance *21,26*. Captive rearing and releasing seems to be successful in some areas *26*. The federal recovery plan involves releasing captive-produced birds, and recommends continued monitoring of the nesting population *30*

References for Management Comments: 021 , 030 , 026

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
002 American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Checklist Of North American Birds, 5th Ed. Lord Baltimore Press. Baltimore, Md. 691 Pp.
003 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
004 Birds Of Squaw Creek National Wildife Refuge. 1975. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. Rf-663560-2.
005 Duck Creek Bird Checklist. 1979. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo.
006 Robbins, M. 1975. Fall Survey. Bluebird 42(2):5-7.
007 Robbins, M. 1977. Spring Survey. Bluebird 44(4):24-28.
008 Robbins, M. 1977. Spring Survey. Bluebird 44(2):14-18.
009 Anderson, D. 1973. Winter Survey. Bluebird 40(2):7-8.
010 Robbins, M. 1978. Fall Survey. Bluebird 45(1):23-29.
011 Robbins, M. 1978. Spring Survey. Bluebird 45(3):14-20.
012 Anderson, D. 1973. Fall Survey. Bluebird 40(1):6-9
013 Anderson, D. 1974. Spring Survey. Bluebird 41(3):3-5.
014 Heilbrun, L.H. 1979. 1978-1979 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 33(4):327-707.
015 Heilbrun, L.H. 1976. 1975-1976 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 30(2):182-633.
016 Kleen, V.M. 1979. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 33(3):285-287.
017 Kleen, V.M. 1975. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 29(3):696-700.
018 Kleen, V.M. 1975. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 29(4):858-862.
019 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
020 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
021 Ratcliffe, D. 1980. The Peregrine Falcon. Buteo Books. Vermillion, Sd. 416 Pp.
022 Brown, L. and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons Of The World. Vol. 1. Mcgraw-Hill Book Co. Ny, Ny. 414pp.
023 U.S. Dept. Of The Interior. 1980. Republication Of Lists Of Endangered And Threatened Species And Correction Of Technical Errors In Final Rules. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Washington, D.C. Published In Federal Register 45(99):33768-33781.
024 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
025 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
026 Snow, C. 1972. Habitat Management For Endangered Species. Report No. 1. American Peregrine Falcon Falco Peregrinus Anatum And Arctic Peregrine Falcon Falco Peregrinus Tundrius. U.S.D.I. Bur. Of Land Mgmt. Tech. Note.
027 Degraaf, R.M., G.M. Whitman, J.W. Lanier, B.J. Hill and J.M. Keniston 1980. Forest Habitat For Birds Of The Northeast. U.S.D.A.F.S. 598 Pp.
028 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Management Of Snags And Cavity Trees In Missouri. Mo Cons. Comm, Jefferson City, Mo. 21 Pp.
029 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1986. Management Of Old Growth Forests In Missouri. Habitat Management Series No. 3. 16 Pp.
030 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Revised Peregrine Falcon Eastern Population Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newton Corner, Ma. 35 Pp.
031 Unpb Meyer, J. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. 1907 Hillcrest Drive, Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
032 Jacobs, B. and J.D. Wilson. 1997. Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986-1992. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural History Series No. 6. Jefferson City, Mo. 430 Pp.
033 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2022. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. Pp. 57.
034 Tordoff, H.B., M.S. Martell and P.T. Redig. 1998. Effect Of Fledge Site On Choice Of Nest Site By Midwestern Peregrine Falcons. Loon 70(3):127-129.
035 Humburg, D.D., K. Bataille, D.L. Helmers and D.A. Brunet. 1999. Wetland Ecology Studies In The Missouri River Floodplain: Evaluation Of Seasonal Habitat Use By Waterbirds On The Missouri River Floodplain Mo Dept. Conserv. Final Rept. Proj. W-13-R-53, Study 18, Job 4. 130 Pp.
036 Tordoff, H.B., J.S. Castrale, M.S. Martell and P.T. Redig. 2000. Brood size and survival to breeding in midwestern peregrine falcons. J. Field Ornith. 71(4):691-693.
037 Unpb Big Oak Tree State Park. Bird Checklists. 13640 South Hwy. 102, East Prairie, MO 63845, 573-649-3149.
038 Kauffman, M.J., W.F. Frick, and J. Linthicum. 2003. Estimation of habitat-specific demography and population growth for Peregrine falcons in California. Ecol. Appl. 13(6): 1802-1816.
039 Young, N. Personal communication. Big Muddy NFWR, 4200 New Haven Rd, Columbia, MO 65201; (573)441-2948.