The American Peregrine Falcon of Yukon-Charley Rivers

Description

A common sight along the Yukon River, Peregrine Falcons are often seen soaring high in the sky or swiftly diving to river banks in search of prey. These magnificent birds were not always as common as they are today, their populations declined to the point of endangerment due mostly to pesticide usage. Thanks to environmental regulations of the 1970s, Peregrine Falcons were named an endangered species, and the populations in Alaska and elsewhere have rebounded naturally over time. Scientists have been studying these birds in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve since the mid-1970s, and during an early study in 1975, 11 nesting pairs of falcons were documented. Today in similar surveys, over 50-60 pairs have been noted! This ongoing survey has been instrumental in tracking the Peregrine Falcon's natural recovery within Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. In this video, listen to NPS Ecologist David Payer's recounting of this survey's history, as well as an inside look at how a survey crew finds these raptors for documenting.

Duration

5 minutes, 30 seconds

Credit

NPS/Sean Tevebaugh 2017

Date Created

05/19/2017

Copyright and Usage Info

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