On the tail of two species

Keywords: peregrine falcon, pigeon, predation, biopolitics
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Peregrine falcons in the UK benefit from longstanding wildlife legislation offering them the highest levels of protection from human disturbance and persecution. This has contributed to their recovery since their population crash in the mid 20th century linked to pesticide poisoning. However, with their populations at record highs, recent legal contestations from pigeon groups in conflict with peregrines, and falconers who seek to harvest wild peregrines as a resource have made significant progress threatening to weaken the security of wild peregrines, unprecedented in recent memory. Thus, the raptors appear to be on a social precipice with their place in society shifting.

Through archival research and grey literature, I trace the development and execution of mechanisms in wildlife legislation exempting Britain’s peregrines from protection, starting from its inception with the 1872 Wild Birds Protection Act. By critically examining their emergence amidst key moments in history, we study how the value of peregrines have changed over time – from “vermin” to bio-weapons – particularly in relation to (homing) pigeons during the World Wars. What does this reveal about human relationships with the apex predator and their place in society? Finally, I discuss how these histories live on through the recent controversial challenges which reflect the ambitions of groups marginalized by wildlife legislation seeking to reconnect with their idealized legacies.