How can agriculture create habitat for some falconiform species?

While agriculture often destroys natural habitats like forests, it can simultaneously create new environments that support certain falconiform species. This occurs primarily when agricultural practices result in a mixed landscape of forest and open country.1

This mosaic of habitats is beneficial for adaptable species, such as black kites, hooded vultures, and long-crested eagles, which may move into these areas as the landscape changes. Historically, the peregrine falcon was most numerous in Britain in regions characterized by this combination of forest and open land, which provided high populations of avian prey.1

Ultimately, the impact of agriculture on these birds is not always detrimental; it depends on the resulting landscape structure and the presence of sufficient prey populations. However, it is important to note that the use of persistent agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides, poses a significant conservation challenge to these populations due to their widespread and subtle toxic effects.1