Northern Aplomado Falcon

Decades of habitat loss from brush encroachment, fire suppression, and overgrazing, together with reproductive problems linked to pesticide exposure, led to radical declines in U.S. populations of northern aplomado falcons. The federal government ultimately listed the raptor as an endangered species in 1986. In response, the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute started captive breeding work with aplomados caught in Mexico. The Peregrine Fund began reintroductions in 1993 with birds released in Aransas, Matagorda, and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuges. Falcons were also let go on 2 million acres of private tracts, especially in South Texas, under innovative Safe Harbor permits. Restoration efforts on Trans-Pecos ranches began in 2002, but were less successful, due to severe drought and predation by great horned owls.