Why didn the Service consider downlisting the peregrine falcon to threatened rather than delisting?
Substantial improvements in numbers of peregrine falcons and productivity have occurred in the 1990’s. These data show that goals set for numbers of pairs and productivity by the existing peregrine falcon recovery plans have been met or exceeded. The combined population goal in the current peregrine falcon recovery plans is 631 pairs. Currently, a minimum of 1,650 pairs occupy the range of the peregrine falcon in Alaska, Canada, and the Continental United States, exceeding the recovery goal by 962 pairs. The peregrine falcon has achieved or exceeded the goals established for recovery. The Service also believes that when viewed on a range-wide or even region-wide basis the species clearly is not in danger of extinction throughout a significant portion of its range and warrants full delisting.
