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Grey Falcon Falco Hypoleucos Description and Distribution One in 1901 Near Mildura and Another in 1941

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Grey Falcon Falco Hypoleucos Description and Distribution One in 1901 Near Mildura and Another in 1941 Action Statement Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 No. 83 Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos Description and Distribution one in 1901 near Mildura and another in 1941. Two The Grey Falcon is a smoke-grey bird with bright nests were located north of Lake Cullulleraine in orange-yellow legs and feet. It is between 300 mm the 1990s (D Baker-Gabb, pers. comm.), but there and 430 mm long and has a wing span of up to 950 are no breeding records in the Atlas since 1901. mm. The female is larger than the male. The upper- The species feeds primarily on birds, particularly parts are grey-blue, but the tail feathers are barred graminivorous parrots and pigeons, but there are darker grey and the primaries have black tips. The some records of small mammals, insects and face and under-parts are whitish with thin dark reptiles being taken (Marchant and Higgins 1993). streaks. The eyes are brown, and the bill is yellow at the base and tipped with black, with an orange- Conservation Status yellow cere. The species occurs throughout the arid and semi- Current Status. arid zones of Australia, where the mean annual CNR (1995 Vulnerable in Victoria. rainfall is less than 500 mm, but rarely in waterless areas. These areas are relatively treeless except SAC (1992) Threatened in Victoria along watercourses, and comprise sandy to stony The Grey Falcon is listed as a threatened taxon in plains, spinifex tussock grassland, low shrubland Schedule 2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and acacia scrub. This corresponds to the Eyrean 1988. faunal zone (Schodde 1982). Breeding is usually confined to the arid zone, where the annual rainfall Reasons for Conservation Status is less than 250 mm. Nests are usually in tall eucalypts close to a watercourse, although these Little is known about the Grey Falcon. It is one of may be dry during nesting. During droughts they the rarest Australian falcons (Cupper & Cupper venture towards higher rainfall areas, and 1981), and there are very few records for Victoria. seasonally may move north during winter and No nests had been located in Victoria in recent south during the summer. The area near the years, despite numerous searches (Lindsay Cupper, junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers has held pers. comm.), until two were located in the 1990s larger numbers of Grey Falcons in drought years (D. Baker-Gabb pers. comm.). It has never been and appears to be a drought refuge. considered common, and the sighting of a Grey Falcon has always been a notable event. It is now In Victoria the species is on the periphery of its less common around Mildura than in the 1950s. arid-zone range. Grey Falcons have been sighted in most years in north-west Victoria. They may be Clearing and grazing of arid zone habitat, the more common in Victoria during or following destruction of raptors because they were thought droughts. The inland droughts of 1977–78 to prey on domestic poultry, and the use of contributed to more sightings as the birds moved pesticides have all had an adverse effect on the south in search of more favourable conditions.. species (Olsen & Olsen 1986). A large part of its preferred habitat in Victoria is private land and has The Atlas of Victorian Wildlife has only 68 records been developed for agriculture. of the Grey Falcon, 43 of which are since 1970. Records of breeding in Victoria are sparse, with Major Conservation Objectives The rarity of the species, and even more the The major conservation objectives are to: scarcity of nests, has created a demand for eggs by collectors, who are prepared to pay high prices for • protect sufficient areas of remaining eggs or information on the locations of nests. Grey habitat to ensure that viable populations Falcons do not defend their nests or eggs, and as a are able to survive and breed successfully consequence eggs are relatively easily removed. in the wild (Victoria depends entirely on other States for a viable population),. The use of pesticides in marginal farmland did result in localised DDT-related eggshell thinning, • minimise threatening processes such as and thinning of up to 15% has been detected habitat destruction and overgrazing and (Olsen, Fuller & Marples, 1993). Although DDT is egg collection (unless collection is no longer used, the effects may continue for some authorised for approved research), and. years. • determine the ecological requirements of the Grey Falcon. Wider Conservation Issues Management Issues Nearly 50 other bird species in the North West Region are threatened or suspected to be threatened. Habitat protection is likely to assist in Ecological Issues Specific to the Taxon the conservation of many these species, including The management of species with small, widely other raptors such as the Square-tailed Kite dispersed and partially nomadic populations is (Lophoictinia isura), Letter-winged Kite (Elanus difficult. The fact that the Victorian population is scriptus) and Black Falcon (Falco subniger). Since on the fringe of the species' range and forms a tall trees are used as nesting sites, their protection small part of the total population means that many is also likely to help protect a number of factors which influence the population are beyond threatened arboreal mammals and reptiles. Victorian control. There must therefore be consultation with agencies in adjoining State. The number of Grey Falcons in Victoria is never likely to be large, so its protection is unlikely to Throughout its Victorian range, the management of have a significant impact on threatened potential the Grey Falcon must be aimed at reversing, or at prey species, nor on the populations of pest least minimising the identified impacts on the species such as European Rabbits (Oryctolagus species. The protection of known nests is essential, cuniculus). but as there are so few this needs to be extended to habitat protection over the known range to ensure that nest sites are available as required. Social and Economic Issues Nest sites must be in undisturbed areas with a high The conservation of the Grey Falcon should have availability of food; that is, a relatively intact no negative social impact (other than a perceived vegetation and a correspondingly high bird threat to poultry), but there could be minor population. This is of particular importance near economic impact on landholders if grazing is to be the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers, as a reduced. drought refuge area. The rarity of the species has put a high value on It is not clear why the Grey Falcon is largely eggs for collectors, and hence increased pressure confined to the arid zone. Suitable prey species on the species. Any site-specific information must and nesting sites are freely available outside this be kept confidential, with access given only to environment, but the Grey Falcon rarely visits people involved in monitoring sites. The need for these areas. It is possible that competition with the landholder involvement makes this more difficult Peregrine Falcon is the cause, as there is a great to achieve because more people will have access to similarity between the two species in both hunting site information. Procedures need to be established style and choice of prey. If competition does occur, to minimise the circulation of information beyond the more powerful Peregrine would prevail; it those who require it for management of the might thus be that the Grey Falcon is an ancient species. Australian species retreating before the dominant Falconers and overseas zoos are also very keen to and more recently arrived Peregrine. This is only a have pairs of these birds, which could encourage theory, but there must be a reason why this 'professional' poachers. peculiarly Australian species is able to survive and breed in the country's arid country yet is unable to make more use of the wetter regions which appear Previous Management Action to be equally well-suited to its needs (Hollands In Victoria, nothing has been done specifically for 1984). A progressive adaptation to the drying of this species, apart from efforts to locate nests, the interior may also be partly responsible. with very limited success. Moves in recent years to 2 halt land degradation will have assisted in Other Desirable Management Action protecting habitat, or at least in slowing the rate of • Consult with relevant authorities in decline. adjoining states on all planning and management matters. A 'working group' Intended Management Action should be established to ensure continual Except where indicated, the following management consultation between the relevant state actions are to be undertaken or coordinated by authorities and external groups such as NRE's North West Region. Birds Australia (RAOU) and the Australian Raptor Association. Research and Survey Legislative Powers Operating • Accurately establish the range of the Grey Falcon in Victoria and adjoining states. Legislation • Estimate the size of the population that Catchment and Land Protection Act 1992 — may utilise Victorian habitats and the provides for the integrated management and potential for recruitment. This will require protection of catchments and the control of that all relevant NRE staff (Rangers, Land noxious weeds and pest animals. Protection Officers etc.) are informed and trained to report sightings. Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 — provides for the management of public land under • Investigate the ecological requirements of the Act, the coordination of legislation this species, including dietary administered by NRE and for the preparation of requirements and preferences, breeding codes of practice. and dispersal of young, nesting preferences and longevity. Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 — provides for • Enlist the aid of naturalist, bird observer reserving areas as public land and for making a groups and landholders in recording specific reservation status for existing public land.
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