I have chosen the Northern Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis septentrionalis, is an endangered species since February 26, of 1986. There are approximately left in the world today. This boldly-marked, colorful falcon measurements are approximately 15-18 inches fullgrown and have a wingspan of up to 36 inches. They are about the same size as an American Crow. Falco femoralis septrentionalis distribution extends from southern Argentina northward through Mexico in to the southwestern United States in Texas. It is usually found in Arizona, New Mexico, and western and Southern Parts of Texas.
Interesting Facts about Northern Aplomado Falcons are most often seen in pairs. They do not build their own nests, but use stick nests built by other birds. Pairs work together to find prey and flush it from cover. They are fast fliers, and often chase prey animals as they try to escape into dense grass. Parents make 25-30 hunting attempts per day in order to feed their young. Chicks are fed 6 or more times each day. They live up to 20 years in captivity. Falcons are being reintroduced in south Texas to bring back the population. The Northern Aplomado Falcon was most commonly observed and collected in its U.S. range during the period 1870-1930. The falcon seemingly disappeared in the U.S. after the 1930s for reasons that largely remain a mystery. It is noteworthy to consider that the Aplomado Falcon was at the northern limits of its continental range in the few southern States I mentioned earlier, therefore, possibly vulnerable to small changes in habitat quality in this region. Aplomados will also steal food from other raptors and mated pairs will hunt together. Uneaten food will be hidden for later meals.The female most often lays 2 - 3 eggs that are incubated approximately 31 - 32 days. Young birds fledge from 4 - 5 weeks after hatching. The Aplomado Falcon has accipiter-like habits and a similar body shape. They have a long tail, long legs, and a slightly rounded wingtip. This falcon also uses accipiter hawk hunting strategies, such as flying into foliage to pursue or flush out their prey.
Some of the Threats and reasons for decline are Habitat degradation due to brush encroachment, reproductive failure due to organochlorine pesticides, and catastrophic channelization of one permanent desert streams. Some other information The Aplomado Flacon diet consists primarily of birds, supplemented by insects, small snakes, lizards and rodents. They lay their eggs between the months of march and June. Twenty nestlings were fledged by the Peregrine Fund at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge between 1986 and 1989. Aplomados are now seen occasionally on the refuge. An additional four nestlings were fledged by the Peregrine Fund on the King Ranch in Kleberg County, TExas in 1985. Surveys are being undertaken in Mexico. The Recovery Plan was approved in 1990.
http://happycarpenter.blogs.com/the_happy_carpenter/images/northern_aplomado_falcon.jpg
http://www.co.pima.az.us/cmo/sdcp/species/fsheets/af.html
