In about a month the weather will start to cool, the days will grow shorter and Arctic peregrine falcons will begin their annual migration to southern South America, passing over the eastern part of Pennsylvania.
One thing will be different this year — a broader group of people will be permitted to capture and use these birds for hunting.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission adopted a new regulation last month, allowing more people to receive permits to catch the raptors. Previously, only Pennsylvania residents who are master-class falconers could receive the permits. This year, the application will be expanded to allow general-class falconers to apply, as well as residents of states which permit falconers to take peregrines back into the state.
If the number of applications from Pennsylvania exceeds the number of permits the Game Commission can give, non-residents will not be entered into the permit lottery.
“That’s pretty consistent with other states,” said Chad Eyler, a permit officer with the Game Commission.
While Tundra peregrines are of the same species as those that nest on the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland and Gulf Tower, Downtown, they are of a different subspecies (Falco peregrinus tundrius). Only the American peregrine (Falco peregrinus anatum) nests Pennsylvania.
Both subspecies were once listed as endangered in the U.S. according to Patti Barber, endangered species specialist at the Game Commission. They are now considered “recovered” on the U.S. listing. In Pennsylvania, however, the American peregrine is still considered endangered.
Barber said the main cause of the American peregrine’s population decline was the use of the pesticide DDT, which caused the birds’ eggshells to become thinner and break easier. Rachel Carson, a native of the Pittsburgh area, wrote about the dangers of DDT in her 1962 book “Silent Spring” (Houghton Mifflin). Today, peregrines have nested on the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg, home of the state Department of Environmental Protection.
It is currently illegal to capture American peregrines in Pennsylvania, even if a falconer has a permit to catch Arctic peregrine falcons. The law permits capture of peregrines only between Sept. 20 and Oct. 20, during the birds’ annual migration from the tundra. Those dates were chosen, said Barber, because they increase the chance of catching an Arctic peregrine as opposed to the American subspecies.
Art McMorris, the Game Commission’s peregrine falcon coordinator, said the subspecies have a number of structural differences that falconers may spot. The Arctic peregrine is smaller, he said, and the mustache on the bird can be narrower. American peregrines typically have a peach-colored underside, rather than the Arctic’s pale breast, and the migrating birds usually have a lighter back than American peregrines.
Barber said that while the subspecies have distinct characteristics, some falconers may find it difficult to differentiate Arctic from American peregrines.
“There’s enough overlap in plumage that [it’s] a real challenge,” she said.
Despite their differences, the subspecies have a lot in common. All peregrines have an average wingspan of around 41 inches, said Pittsburgher Kate St. John, who runs the blog, Outside My Window. Their length is around 17 inches, and while they have a high mortality rate in their first year of life — around 60 percent — they can live as long as 12 to 15 years.
While some sources say peregrines can fly around 200 miles per hour, Barber said that number is misleading. They typically fly around 60 mph but can reach high speeds when diving for prey. In addition, peregrines tend to beat their wings continuously while flying, Barber said, while some raptors tend to soar.
Peregrines like to live in open places, she said, as they’re visual predators, relying on eyesight rather than smell or sound. They tend to have direct flights and avoiding spending much time in any one place while migrating south for the winter. St. John said that due to this, it may be difficult to form a relationship with peregrines.
“Falconers will tell you there are certain birds that will never become tame. Peregrines are one of them,” she said. “They’ll have a working relationship with you, but they won’t love you.”
Eyler said the main difference between general- and master-class falconers is in experience. General-class falconers must be 18 or older, have had an apprentice-class permit in good standing for at least two years and have maintained a falcon for at least 12 months. They must also have a letter from a sponsor stating that they have enough skills and experience to hold a falconry license.
Master-class falconers must be 23 or older, have had a general-class falconry permit in good standing for at least five years and have maintained a falcon for at least three years.
While the Arctic peregrines are no longer endangered, Barber said it’s important to let the Game Commission know of any peregrines in the state.
“We are always looking for public input and observations. If you see peregrines in a new places, let us know,” she said. “That’s an important part of peregrine recovery.”
Alex Weidenhof: 412-263-1969 or aweidenhof@post-gazette.com.
First Published: July 30, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
