Northern Aplomado Falcon Scientific Name: Falco femoralis septentrionalis Federal Status: Endangered, 2/26/86 • State Status: Endangered

Description and dark tail with 6 to 8 narrow, regions in Texas. In western Texas, it A boldly-marked, colorful Neotropical white crossbars. Male and female are was associated with open desert falcon that fits into the body size scale similar in appearance except that the grasslands with scattered yuccas, of North American falcons between female is noticeably larger than the mesquite, and other shrubs; or oak the Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. male. Juveniles are similar to adults, woodlands and gallery forests sur- Measurements are: total length 15 to but with white facial and breast rounded by or intermingled with 18 inches, wingspan 32 to 36 inches, plumage suffused with buff or cinna- desert grasslands. In southern Texas, and weight 7.5 to 18 ounces – similar mon, other plumage areas not as coastal prairie and marsh habitats in size to the Cooper’s Hawk or Amer- richly colored, and the white upper that supported small islands of trees ican Crow. Aplomado means “steel- breast heavily dark streaked. and shrubs or that interfaced with gray” in Spanish in reference to the woodlands along freshwater adult’s dorsal plumage. Distribution drainages and estuaries were used. Distinguishing adult field marks and Habitat In Mexico, the Aplomado is found in include bold face markings; contrast- The Aplomado Falcon’s Neotropical a broad range of semi-open tropical distribution extends from southern Argentina northward through Mexico in to the southwestern United States. Three subspecies are recognized and the Northern Aplomado Falcon is the northernmost subspecies. It occurs locally throughout much of Mexico and historically reached the northern limits of its range in southeast- ern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and western and southern Texas. Early naturalists (1878- 1925) noted that Aplomados bred in the Trans-Pecos and southern, coastal regions of Texas. However, historic status and trend in Texas is difficult to assess because of the general nature and the scarcity of historic records. In 1900, J. Strecker and subtropical habitat settings, observed three (3) active Aplomado including coastal prairies, wetlands, nests in the vicinity of Midland and savannas, and shrublands; cut-over stated that his collecting party “fre- rain forests, cleared pastureland and quently” saw this bird in the Trans- farmland; dry deciduous woodlands; Aplomado Falcon Pecos. It was variously described as upland pine woodlands; and open © TPWD Glen Mills “locally common,” “not very com- desert grasslands. ing breast, belly, and undertail mon,” and “uncommon” in southern, Aplomado Falcon habitat almost plumage; relatively long wings nar- coastal Texas. Aplomados declined always contains an open grassland rowing at the body; and long tail. throughout their U.S. range, including component with either scattered The face pattern consists of a blue- Texas, during the first half of the islands of shrubs or trees or wood- gray crown; broad, white eyebrow 20th century. The last breeding of land and forest borders. Landscapes over a blue-gray eyestripe; a white wild birds in Texas was reported in with these open characteristics proba- cheek, and prominent, blue-gray mus- 1941. Except for regular sightings on bly favor the falcon’s mode of spot- tache. A dark band or “cummerbund” the King Ranch (Kleberg County) as ting, chasing, and capturing avian extends across the belly separating a late as the 1950s, reports of the Aplo- prey. Shrubs and trees provide white breast and rich cinnamon lower mado Falcon were extremely rare in perching and nesting sites and may belly, flanks, and undertail. Fleshy the U.S. after the 1940s. In Mexico, enhance the diversity and abundance eyering and legs are yellow. In flight, however, it remains in much of its of potential prey species. the underside shows dark wing lin- historic range. Reliable sightings of Aplomados, ings that are bridged by a darker cum- Historically, the Aplomado Falcon usually single birds, have been berbund; white breast and throat; occurred in two distinctly different cinnamon lower belly and tail coverts; and widely separated ecological Northern Aplomado Falcon 1 reported with increasing frequency in Weights of avian prey range from southern New Mexico and western 0.12 ounce (hummingbird) to 19 Texas (Jeff Davis and Culberson coun- ounces (Plain Chachalaca), but most ties) since the 1990s. Two small birds taken weigh less than 3.5 breeding populations of falcons in ounces. Aplomados in coastal and north-central Chihuahua, Mexico, also tropical environments are highly insec- discovered in the 1990s, were probable tivorous, but insects contribute <3% by sources for the birds being reported in weight to the total diet. Insect prey the U.S. In 2002, a pair of wild Aplo- includes crickets, beetles, dragonflies, mado Falcons successfully reared butterflies, cicadas, locusts, wasps, young near Deming, New Mexico. moths, bees, and others. These events may represent the begin- Like most other falcons, Aploma- ning of natural recolonization by Aplo- dos are swift flyers. In full flight, mados into portions of their former they are probably slightly faster than U.S. range. Reintroductions of captive- Mourning and White-winged doves. Aplomado Falcon chicks reared falcons have been ongoing since They dive and execute aerobatic © Frid Fridrickson 1987 in southern Texas and were initi- maneuvers in their pursuit of prey, ated in western Texas in 2002. but also frequently hover and soar. They are agile afoot and will chase Life History prey in trees from limb to limb and The Aplomado is an aggressive preda- on the ground. tor that feeds mainly on other birds The vocal repertoire of Aplo- and insects, but also takes bats, small mado Falcons consists of 4 distinct rodents, lizards, and other animals. calls. The “kek” or “ki” call is given This falcon locates prey from observa- almost exclusively in agonistic con- tion posts or while in flight. Birds texts such as when adults recognize and insects may be taken on the wing potential predators or when they are or ambushed while on the ground. It being harassed by other birds. The “chip” is given as either a single note Male falcon providing food aggressively chases birds even pursu- © Noel Synder ing them through shrub and tree or as a 2 to 3 note series in a wide canopies and on the ground. Often range of contexts. “Wails” consists of may also nest in arboreal bromeliads mated pairs hunt cooperatively. In a 3 to 4 note series given at the nest or rarely on the ground. Egg laying these instances, one bird may flush by the female to initiate hunting for- usually occurs in March and April. the potential prey into a position ays by the male, but also by both Two to 3 eggs are laid and then coop- where it can be attacked by its mate. adults at the nest during courtship. eratively incubated for 31 to 32 days It hunts most often during daylight The “chittering” note consists of 7 or before hatching. Downy hatchlings hours, but also before sunrise and more notes and is given by adults are closely brooded by the female for after sunset taking advantage of cre- and young during feeding sessions. the first week and less frequently puscular birds, bats, and insects. It is presumed that Aplomados thereafter. The male does the major- Aplomados practice “kleptopara- are monogamous. Mated pairs ity of the hunting for the nestlings, sitism” – the act of commandeering remain together year-round. Pair but may be joined by the female in prey from other raptors and preda- bonding involves various courtship this pursuit. Food items brought to tory water birds such as herons and displays, including joint reconnais- the nest by the male are fed to the kingfishers. They sometimes “cache” sance flights of prospective territo- young by the female. Young leave the food items for later consumption and ries, perching, chasing, soaring, and nest at 4 to 5 weeks of age and the will aggressively defend caches. diving. Males may select the nest adults continue to feed the fledglings In eastern and southern Mexico, platform and solicit the female’s away from the nest until their flight 43 bird species were preyed on by attention by soaring above and then feathers are fully grown. Little is Aplomados, and birds comprised 97% landing at the nest and giving a known about the dispersal or survival of the diet by weight. Principal prey “chip” call. Once the female joins her of young; although, one juvenile species included the Great-tailed mate at the nest, both may give banded as a nestling in northern Chi- Grackle, Mourning Dove, White-winged “wail” and “chip” calls, squat, and huahua, Mexico, was observed approx- Dove, Grooved-billed Ani, Yellow-billed pick at nest sticks with their bills. imately 180 miles away in south- Cuckoo, meadowlarks, and Northern Copulation occurs in conjunction with central New Mexico. In eastern Bobwhite. In Chihuahua, Mexico, nest platform displays. Some evi- Mexico, 25 nests produced 38 nestlings meadowlarks, Common Nighthawk, dence suggests that females are capa- from an estimated 66 eggs. Similarly, Western Kingbird, Brown-headed Cow- ble of breeding at 11 to 12 months of in Chihuahua, Mexico, 7 nests pro- bird, Mourning Dove, Cactus Wren, age, but typically they do not success- duced 11 nestlings from 18 eggs. Pyrrhuloxia, Ash-throated Flycatcher, fully breed until 2 years of age. The population status and trend Blue Grosbeak, and Canyon Towhee There is no evidence that Aplo- and geographic distribution of the predominated in the avian diet. mados build their own nest, instead Aplomado Falcon in the U.S. is diffi- the pair takes over an old or newly cult to assess because of the sparse- constructed stick nest of another rap- ness of historical information, the 2 Northern Aplomado Falcon tor, large jay, or raven. Aplomados lack of recent, long-term population potential falcon prey species have never occurred during historic time also been suggested as a possible in southern Texas), matched closely. cause. However, a recent review of This has led to speculation that habi- the history of livestock trends and tat conditions generated by prairie practices and other ecological factors dogs may have benefited Aplomado in the Southwest in relation to the Falcons. It is reasoned that overall decline of Aplomados suggests differ- abundance, biomass, and catchability ent causes. of avian and small mammal prey In the late-1800s, large numbers were greater inside prairie dog towns Aplomado Falcon habitat in South Texas of cattle were introduced onto South- than in the surrounding grasslands. © USFWS Marie Fernandez west grasslands occupied by Aploma- At least some potentially important dos and their numbers remained high avian prey species, such as mead- through the 1920s. Decades of over- owlarks, some plovers, Mourning stocking had degraded desert grass- Dove, Horned Lark, and others, seem lands by the 1920s. Recognition of to respond positively to grazing. this led to reductions in cattle num- Others, like the Borrowing Owl, are bers by the late-1920s and 1930s, par- directly dependent on prairie dog ticularly after passage of the Taylor borrows and other prairie dog habitat Grazing Act in 1934. However, cattle features for optimal nesting and rear- stocking rates may have remained ing of young. Insects, reptiles, birds, comparatively high in western and and small mammals that used prairie southern Texas well into the late- dog colonies were probably easier to 1900s, since these ranges were mostly detect and catch by Aplomados than in private ownership and not subject in surrounding grasslands, where Adult Aplomado Falcon to regulation by the federal act. At herbaceous vegetation was denser © D. P. Keddy-Hector least at some Arizona and New Mexico and higher. In similar ways, cattle monitoring efforts, and because of sites where Aplomados occurred, grazing may have provided short-term the remoteness and inaccessibility of brush did not extensively invade into benefits to Aplomados. the bird’s habitat. In Chihuahua, grasslands until after the 1940s. The natural coincidence of Mexico, home ranges for 10 individu- There is some evidence from Aplomado and prairie dog distribu- als ranged from 1.3 to 8.1 square early naturalists to support the tions in the Southwest (outside south- miles. Causes of mortality in wild notion that prairie dogs greatly ern Texas) and their simultaneous adults are not well understood. How- expanded in the Southwest after the declines suggest that these events ever, Brown Jays are suspected nest introduction of large cattle herds. may have been related. Prairie dogs predators in eastern Mexico, and the Widespread and intensive grazing by were eradicated by strychnine poison- Harris’s Hawk and Great Horned Owl cattle may have stimulated such an ing. This method of control was non- have been known to prey on expansion, since prairie dogs require selective and undoubtedly killed released, captive-reared fledglings in low-stature grassland habitats. other wildlife in the vicinity of dog southern Texas. Regardless of the cause, prairie dog towns. Aplomado Falcons could have numbers and acreages occupied were been adversely affected by feeding on Threats and Reasons extremely high during the late-1800s poisoned birds and mammals through for Decline through about 1920. A U.S. govern- relay toxicity. Relay toxicity also The Northern Aplomado Falcon was ment campaign to control prairie could have killed other raptors and most commonly observed and col- dogs on publicly-owned lands in Ari- ravens that provided nest platforms lected in its U.S. range during the zona and New Mexico by use of for Aplomados. period 1870-1930. The falcon seem- strychnine poison began in 1912, and It appears that a majority of ingly disappeared in the U.S. after a similar state effort was initiated in historic encounters with Aplomado the 1930s for reasons that largely Texas in 1915. Prairie dogs were Falcons and high numbers and remain a mystery. It is noteworthy substantially reduced through poison- acreage of black-tailed prairie dogs to consider that the Aplomado Falcon ing by the 1920s, their decline coincided with historically high live- was at the northern limits of its con- peaked in the 1930s, and they were stock stocking rates on Southwest tinental range in southeastern Ari- virtually eliminated from southeast- grasslands (all between 1870 and zona, southern New Mexico, and ern Arizona and southwestern New 1920). Aplomado falcons and black- western and southern Texas; and, Mexico by the 1940s and 1950s, tailed prairie dogs, with overlapping therefore, possibly vulnerable to respectively. This pattern of decline distributions, disappeared from the small changes in habitat quality in was probably mirrored in western Southwest landscape in the 1930s. this region. Texas, except that prairie dogs were Although, it is clear that prairie dogs Severe overgrazing by domestic never completely eradicated and some were intentionally eradicated, causes livestock and resultant brush populations have persisted there of the Aplomados disappearance encroachment in the Southwest, through the present time. remain obscure. In Arizona and New including Texas, has been most fre- Historic ranges of the black- Mexico, large scale mesquite and quently implicated as the principal tailed prairie dog and the Northern other shrub invasion into grasslands cause for the species’ decline. Direct Aplomado Falcon in the Southwest, to adverse effects of livestock grazing on include western Texas (prairie dogs Northern Aplomado Falcon 3 appears to have occurred after the has been linked directly to the deaths demise of the falcon. of thousands of songbirds, waterfowl, Other factors could have affected and raptors in Argentina and parts of the decline. Aplomado Falcons disap- the U.S. Other threats include direct peared rapidly throughout their U.S. loss of habitat from various forms of range, which suggest that a wide- human development, secondary lead spread phenomenon such as climate poisoning through ingestion of game change could have been involved. birds (doves and quail), electrocution Throughout the U.S. and Mexican by improperly designed electrical range of the Northern Aplomado Fal- transmission lines, and human distur- con, the long-term, cumulative impact bance in breeding areas. of cattle grazing to the recovery of this subspecies probably has been Recovery Efforts negative, since it eventually con- In 1986, the Northern Aplomado tributed to the evident degradation of Falcon was federally listed as endan- Aplomado Falcon landing desert and coastal grasslands. Graz- gered in the U.S. and Mexico based © TPWD Glen Mills ing by cattle increases the spread of on evidence of population declines in mesquite, diminishes water retention the U.S. and threats to reproduction eastern Mexico. In the 1980s, this on rangelands through soil com- in eastern Mexico related to pesticide program was taken over and paction and loss of herbaceous plant contamination. Subsequently, the expanded by The Peregrine Fund, a cover, and interrupts natural fire northern subspecies was state-listed private organization focused on the regimes by reducing plant fuel loads. as endangered in Arizona, New worldwide conservation of birds of In southern Texas, relatively high Mexico, and Texas, and in 1990 a prey, with support from the U.S. Fish numbers of falcon eggs and speci- federal recovery plan was prepared. and Wildlife Service. An initial mens were collected by professional In the years since listing release of captive-reared young was collectors during the early-1900s and occurred, general awareness of the made on the King Ranch in Kleberg possibly contributed to the disappear- Aplomado’s peril has grown, surveil- County, Texas in 1985. Additional ance of Aplomados in that region. lance of the falcon has increased, con- release sites on the Texas Gulf Coast Particularly in southern Texas and sideration of and planning for were evaluated between 1985 and eastern Mexico, but also portions of Aplomado habitat requirements on 1987, and the release program was the Aplomado’s former desert range, public lands has improved; and new then refocused to Laguna Atascosa large tracts of native grassland have research, focused on the Aplomado’s National Wildlife Refuge and been converted to pasturelands and population ecology and habitat pref- Matagorda Island. The first breeding croplands, thereby further reducing erences and requirements, has been in the wild of released captive-reared the extent and quality of Aplomado initiated. In 1992, two small, iso- Aplomados occurred in 1995. Since Falcon habitat. lated populations of Aplomados were 1997, over 100 captive-reared young The pesticides DDT and DDE discovered in north-central Chi- have been released annually along were not factors in the Alpomado’s huahua, Mexico in close proximity to the Texas Gulf Coast. To date, this disappearance, since they were not the U.S. Ongoing monitoring and program has resulted in the establish- introduced into the environment research efforts at these sites are pro- ment of at least 37 Aplomado pairs until the late-1940s. Even though viding important insights into the that have produced over 92 young in these pesticides have been banned in desert grassland ecology of this the wild. In 2002, reintroductions the U.S. for over 30 years, heavy con- species. Recently, another research- were expanded to desert grasslands centrations of DDT and DDE persists management effort led by U.S. depart- in western Texas with the release of in potential prey species in the U.S. ments of Interior and Defense 36 captive-reared young and future and northern Mexico. Furthermore, characterized occupied Aplomado releases are being planned for south- these pesticides are still in use in Falcon habitat in northern Mexico ern New Mexico. The preliminary Mexico and other parts of Latin and then used that habitat “footprint” results of the reintroduction program America. In eastern Mexico, DDT and to identify potentially suitable falcon look promising; ultimately, however, DDE contamination has led to severe habitat in the U.S. The Turner its success will depend on the quality eggshell thinning in Aplomados. Endangered Species Fund also of these environments to support Birds and other organisms collected recently funded a historical review of wild Aplomado Falcons over time. over the past decade from the lower land use and ecological conditions Rio Grande, Laguna Madre, and other that surrounded the Aplomado in the Where To See southern Texas locations contained Southwest at the time of its decline. heavy loads of PBCs, heavy metals, Aplomado Falcons Reintroduction of captive-reared and organochlorine pesticides. At the present time, the only publicly- Aplomados into the historic U.S. Organophosphate pesticides are still accessible location in the U.S. where range was considered an essential heavily used throughout the range of Aplomado Falcons can be consistently step in the 1990 federal recovery the Aplomado Falcon, including in the observed is in the vicinity of Laguna plan. As early as 1977, the Chi- U.S., and remain a serious threat to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge huahuan Desert Institute at Alpine, Aplomados. This group of pesticides near Rio Hondo, Texas. Opportunities Texas had begun a captive breeding to regularly see Aplomados may grad- program based on wild- captured ually increase with time in western 4 Northern Aplomado Falcon Aplomado breeding stock from south- Texas in the vicinity of Marfa and Valentine as result of The Peregrine verification. Observations should For More Information Fund’s ongoing reintroduction efforts include a detailed description of the Contact there. Wild Aplomados, presumably bird’s location, appearance, activity, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department dispersing from Chihuahua, Mexico, and surroundings. Verification of Diversity Resources Branch also were sporadically reported dur- sightings is extremely important in 4200 Smith School Road ing the 1990s in western Texas. the context of the Aplomado’s Austin, Texas 78744 Birders who pursue opportunities scarcity and future conservation. (512) 912-7011 or (800) 792-1112 to view an Aplomado Falcon should Ultimately, recovery of Aploma- 04 be equipped with a good quality dos in Texas will depend on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service binocular, bird identification guide, interest and direct involvement of pri- Ecological Services Field Office and lots of patience. Becoming famil- vate land owners since lands within 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 iar with the different raptor body the falcon’s former range are mostly Austin. Texas 78758 forms, styles of flight, behaviors, and in private ownership. Texas land (512) 490-0057 distinguishing field marks well before holders interested in promoting Aplo- or going into the field will greatly aid mado Falcon conservation measures U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accurate identification of Aplomados should consult with experts in the Corpus Christi Ecological Services and other raptors. Desert grasslands Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Office with scattered yuccas and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or The c/o TAMU-CC, Campus Box 338 shrubs in western Texas and coastal Peregrine Fund for technical guidance 6300 Ocean Drive, Room 118 grasslands and wetlands in southern and other assistance. Texans can con- Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 Texas are the correct general habitat tribute to nongame wildlife resources (361) 994-9005 types for searches. Prime periods of conservation by supporting the Texas or Aplomado activity are two to three Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Spe- Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife hours after sunrise and before sunset. cial Nongame and Endangered Species Refuge If a visit to Laguna Atascosa National Conservation Fund” and by purchases P.O. Box 450 Wildlife Refuge is planned, call ahead of special nongame decals and stamps Rio Hondo, Texas 78583 to the refuge headquarters to obtain issued by the department. A set por- (956) 748-3607 current information concerning view- tion of the revenues generated by or ing and reporting guidelines as well these programs is used to purchase The Peregrine Fund as the whereabouts and habits of this endangered species habitats and to 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane falcon. Nature and birding club web support the publication of nongame- Boise, Idaho 83709 sites, local birding experts, and wildlife informational materials and (208) 362-3716 or (208) 362-8687 wildlife agency personnel are excel- other nongame activities. lent sources of information regarding the locations of past and recent rare bird sightings in Texas. References Cade, T.J. 1982. The falcons of the world. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New How You Can Help York. Aplomados can be sensitive to human Clark, W.S. and K.B. Wheeler. 1995. A photographic guide to North American raptors. Academic Press, New York. disturbance, especially during the Hector, D.P. 1985. “The diet of the Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis) in eastern breeding season. Human activity, Mexico.” The Condor 87:336-342. including close or prolonged intru- Hector, D.P. 1987. “The decline of the Aplomado falcon in the United States.” sion in a bird’s territory, or loud and American Birds 41:381-389. unusual noises, can cause nest aban- Keddy-Hector, D.P. 200?. “Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis)” in Birds of North donment. Human intrusions can also America, No. 549 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., make Aplomados more susceptible to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. detection and harm from potential Kiff, L.F., D.B. Peakell, and D.P. Hector. 1980. “Eggshell thinning and organochlo- predators. A safe viewing distance is rine residues in the bat and Aplomado falcons in Mexico.” Ornithological Con- 200 yards or more. Suitable viewing gress 17:949-952. at this or greater distance may Montoya, A.B., P.J. Zwank, and M. Cardenas. 1997. “Breeding biology of the Aplo- mado falcon in desert grasslands in Chihuahua, Mexico.” J. Field Ornithology require a spotting scope with 10 to 68:135-143. 15 X or greater magnification. Bird- Oberholser, H.C. 1974. The bird life of Texas. Vol. I. University of Texas Press, ers should always respect private Austin, Texas. property rights in Texas regardless of Perez, C.J., P.J. Zwank, and D.W. Smith. 1996. “Survival, movements, and habitat the species being pursued. use of Aplomado falcons released in southern Texas.” J. Raptor Research Birders should keep in mind that 30:175-182. Aplomados remain extremely rare in Strecker, J.K. 1930. “Field notes on western Texas birds.” Contributions to Baylor Texas and are federally- and state- University Museum 22:1-14. listed as endangered. Therefore, all Truett, J.C. 2002. “Aplomado falcons and grazing: invoking history to plan for reasonable and suspected sightings of restoration.” The Southwestern Naturalist 47:379-400. this bird should be reported immedi- ately to an expert birder, Texas Parks Funds for the production of this leaflet were provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. and Wildlife Department, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further Northern Aplomado Falcon 5