Isn the unrestricted use of organochlorine pesticides in Latin America a threat to wintering peregrine falcons?
Available information indicates that pesticide use in Latin America has apparently not been significant enough to cause a decline in the number of peregrine falcons nesting in North America. Although migrant peregrine falcons accumulate pesticides while wintering in Latin America, DDE residues in the blood taken from female peregrine falcons captured during spring migration at Padre Island, Texas decreased between 1978 and 1994 to levels that would not affect reproduction. The overall reproductive success and resultant population increases throughout the peregrine falcon’s range suggest only minor and very spotty problems with DDT that continue to diminish. Arctic peregrine falcons, which also winter in Latin America, were delisted in 1994.
Related Questions
- Can you consider all threats removed if organochlorine pesticides still persist within the breeding range of the peregrine falcon and continue to depress natural productivity in some areas?
- Isn the unrestricted use of organochlorine pesticides in Latin America a threat to wintering peregrine falcons?
- Where do Peregrine Falcons live?
