Peregrine Falcon Breeding Performance in North Carolina during the 13-Year Post-delisting Period of 2003–2015

• Published in: Southeastern naturalist (Steuben, Me.) Me.), 2018, Vol.17 (1), p.130-140
• Main Authors: Kelly, Christine A., Cameron, Susan E., Boynton, Allen C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1528-7092; 1938-5412
• DOI: 10.1656/058.017.0110

We monitored the breeding performance (territory occupancy, nest success, productivity) of a reintroduced hybrid population of Falco peregrinus anatum (Peregrine Falcon) in western North Carolina during the 13-y post-delisting period of 2003–2015. Peregrine Falcons nested at 18 sites (17 cliffs, 1 building), 6 of which were newly discovered sites. Eight to 13 territories were occupied annually. We documented 139 nesting attempts and production of 171 young. Mean nest success (55%) during the period 2003–2015 fell below the 1999–2002 national average, but was more than double earlier (1987–1992) efforts in western North Carolina. Likewise, mean productivity (1.23 young/year/pair) was more than double earlier efforts in North Carolina, but reflects the disproportionately high contribution of ~5 sites. Throughout the study, subadult birds were members of a pair (13.7% of nesting attempts) and had lower nest success than adult pairs. High variability in nest success and productivity underscore the need for continued monitoring and protection from disturbance and other threats, especially at the most vulnerable and least productive sites.