Four species of Falco occur in the northeastern United States. The gyrfalcon is a rare winter visitor. The peregrine falcon federally listed as endangered, is a migrant and through reestablishment is breeding and wintering locally throughout the northeast. The merlin is a migrant and uncommon winter bird. The American kestrel breeds, winters, and migrates in the northeast. A 22-year analysis of the American kestrel Breeding Bird Survey data showed populations to be stable in less developed areas and declining in more developed areas. By states, declines occurred in the more developed areas of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and data indicate a decrease in American kestrels from 1957 to 1966, a decrease in merlins between 1967 and 1974 and a decrease in peregrine falcons between 1940 and 1975. Migration counts indicate decreasing American kestrel numbers from 1973 to 1986, but an increasing trend from 1934 to 1986.
