Peregrine falcon numbers began to drop in the 1950s and the falcon had disappeared from Ontario by the mid 1960s. It was discovered that the pesticide DDT was responsible for the birds’ decline.

Captive breeding programs began in the eraly 1970s and the first sign of breeding in the wild in Ontario was discovered in the mid 1980s.

The male peregrine pictured above is more white-gray with little to no brownish colouring.