Michigan DNR Removes Peregrine Falcon From Endangered Species List

Nothing is more disappointing than seeing an animal added to the Endangered species list. But, on the other side of the coin, nothing is better than seeing an animal leave that list after successful conservation efforts. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners are celebrating a significant conservation milestone this week, after decades of dedicated work, the peregrine falcon has been downlisted from an endangered species to a threatened one in Michigan.

Although the species was removed from the federal endangered list in 1999, it remained classified as endangered here in Michigan. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the wild population has now reached a level where experts are confident in the species’ ability to thrive independently, which is the best case scenario.

As a result of this progress, the DNR announced that it will no longer place identification bands on peregrine falcon chicks to monitor their movements, a practice that has been instrumental in tracking the recovery of the species.

Why did they originally make the list? The decline in peregrine falcon numbers began in the 1940s, largely due to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT. According to Michigan State University, DDT contaminated the food chain, leading to thinner eggshells that often broke before the chicks could hatch. This catastrophic impact pushed the species to the brink of extinction.

The original goal set by the Michigan DNR was to establish 10 wild nesting pairs of peregrine falcons in the state. By 2006, they had surpassed that goal, counting 13 pairs and 10 successful hatchlings. Last year, the DNR recorded at least 23 wild breeding pairs, a testament to the success of these conservation efforts.
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This achievement marks a hopeful chapter in the story of Michigan’s wildlife, highlighting the importance of sustained conservation work to protect and restore vulnerable species.

Curious about other endangered animals in Michigan? Here's the list as it stood earlier this year...