Manitoba Bird Bird Atlas: Species At Risk

Peregrine Falcon

Early Breeding and Last Migration Dates

South: Regions 1 to 8 Central: Regions 9 to 12 North: Regions 13 and 14
Early Breeding Last Migration Late Breeding Early Breeding Last Migration Late Breeding Early Breeding Last Migration Late Breeding
Apr-06 May-26 Jul-06

Breeding Evidence

Habitat

Breeding Evidence Map

Peregrine Falcons are found in various types of habitats, from Arctic tundra to coastal areas and from prairies to urban centres. They usually nest alone on cliff ledges or crevices, preferably 50 to 200 meters in height, but sometimes on the ledges of tall buildings or bridges, always near good foraging areas. Suitable nesting sites are usually dispersed, but can be common locally in some areas.

Structures built by humans in both rural and urban areas provide Peregrine Falcons with potential nesting sites. And though urbanization and other land uses have had a significant impact on some areas where they feed, Peregrine Falcons can usually modify their diet based on the prey species present in a given area.

Their habitat requirements can be divided into three components:

  1. the nest site: nests are usually scrapes made on cliff ledges on steep cliffs, usually near wetlands — including artificial cliffs such as quarries and buildings;
  2. the nesting territory: the area defended around the nest prevents other pairs from nesting within 1 km or more, ensuring adequate food for all nesting pairs and their young; the density of nests tends to be related to food availability;
  3. the home range: the extended, non-defended area in which peregrines hunt for additional food and which can extend to 27 km from the nest; peregrines prefer open habitats such as wetlands, tundra, savanna, sea coasts and mountain meadows, but will also hunt over open forest.

Never common breeders in Manitoba, they have been reintroduced. Breeding pairs have been established in Winnipeg and in Brandon. As of 2001, 103 captive-breed falcons have been released in Manitoba. For more information, Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project (Manitoba)

-from COSEWIC and The Birds of Manitoba (p. 146)