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The peregrine falcon has to contend with new dangers. It is considered “vulnerable” and the population is declining again.
Almost extinct in the 1960s and 1970s because of pesticides, the peregrine falcon experienced a comeback in Switzerland after they were banned. But now the fastest animal in the world has to contend with new dangers. The population has been declining again for several years.
So much so that the peregrine falcon had to be put on the Red List. He is now considered “vulnerable”, as the Swiss Ornithological Institute announced. The decline in the population in the Jura arc is particularly well documented. The population there has shrunk by around 20 percent in recent years, according to a new study by the ornithological station.
Man and owl bother the falcon
One of the reasons for the decline is the increase in the eagle owl, which the ornithological station says is in itself a pleasing increase. This is a natural predator of the peregrine falcon, the largest native falcon.
But people also make things difficult for the fast hunter, it is said. A growing phenomenon is illegal targeted poisoning, which repeatedly made headlines. This is “decided to fight”, emphasizes the ornithological station. She is therefore involved in a working group coordinated by Birdlife Switzerland.
The birds would also be disturbed by leisure activities on breeding rocks. It can go so far that the birds give up their breeding. The ornithological station wants to try to defuse conflicts between those seeking relaxation and rock breeders such as the peregrine falcon.
Pesticides threatened the peregrine falcons
With a bit of luck, the displaying peregrine falcons can currently be observed near rock faces. The partners perform noisy dives and thus strengthen their pair bond. According to the ornithological station, the peregrine falcon can dive at more than 200 km/h and is therefore considered the fastest animal in the world.
In the 1960s and 1970s, this impressive natural spectacle almost disappeared from Switzerland. The population of the peregrine falcon fell sharply due to the use of pesticides. A few years later, the poisons were banned and the peregrine falcon was protected.
While in 1971 only one successful breeding pair could be found outside the Alpine region, today the number of peregrine falcons is again estimated at around 300 pairs.