Peregrine Faclon Reintroduction Program - Overview
Habitat loss and decreased reproduction due to pesticides, such as DDT, caused drastic declines in the peregrine falcon population. By 1965, no peregrine falcons nested east of the Mississippi and western populations had declined by 90 percent. The Peregrine Fund was established by Cornell University in 1976 to study, breed and restore populations of peregrines to the United States. The first U.S. reintroduction projects began in 1974.
Through these efforts, it was discovered that urban settings are successful nesting areas as the skyscrapers mimic the peregrine's natural cliffside habitat. Indiana followed this example and began its peregrine falcon introduction project in 1991, releasing a total of sixty young falcons in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Evansville through 1994.
Peregrines are known to be wanderers and there is no guarantee that a peregrine released or fledged in the state will nest here as an adult. Indiana's first peregrine nesting in recent times was in 1989 in East Chicago. Both adults were part of other states' reintroduction projects.
Peregrine falcon nesting is monitored every year and most young falcons are banded with leg identification tags to help monitor their movements and survival. The number of nesting pairs in the state has slowly increased. Nests are located on buildings, under bridges, and on smokestacks along the Lake Michigan shoreline, urban areas of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and South Bend.
Nest Boxes have been erected in appropriate sites throughout Indiana in order to attract additional nesting pairs.
Table 1: Peregrine Falcon Nesting in Indiana
| Nesting Attempts | Successful Nests | Young Fledged | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1990 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 1991 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 1992 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 1993 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 1994 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 1995 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 1996 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
| 1997 | 7 | 6 | 15 |
| 1998 | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| 1999 | 8 | 7 | 24 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 | 23 |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 | 20 |
| 2002 | 10 | 9 | 27 |
| 2003 | 11 | 9 | 33 |
| 2004 | 11 | 10 | 30 |
| 2005 | 12 | 9 | 29 |
The peregrine falcon project is funded exclusively by donations to the Endangered Wildlife Fund,
Indiana's state income tax checkoff, and by direct donations.
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