Orange-breasted Falcon Project--Conservation Projects
12 Jun 08
Goal:
Determine the status of the species and the consequences of population isolation in fragmented landscapes, and develop captive breeding and release methods for future species restoration management.
As a charismatic, colorful, and approachable signature species of the rainforest, the Orange-breasted Falcon can play a significant role in the conservation of the tropical forest for the benefit of all biodiversity supported by this habitat. Despite our long history of working with this falcon there is still much to learn about its biology, habitat needs, and the factors limiting its distribution. For example, for reasons still to be understood, this species appears to be absent from apparently suitable habitat in much of Central and South America. Our work occurs in Panama and Belize, and consists of field studies, experimental captive breeding, and release.
A 21-year effort to effectively propagate rare Orange-breasted Falcons in captivity resulted in the first releases to the wild of captive-bred birds in Belize in 2007. These falcons are the foundation for an experimental population that will allow us to study what may be limiting the falcon’s distribution and abundance.
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