Orange-breasted Falcon is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN global Red List of threatened species, based on declines throughout its range, and on projections of deforestation in Amazonia. Additionally, across its range, several nations have listed the Orange-breasted Falcon in the highest endangered category. The Peregrine Fund has conducted intensive surveys primarily in Central America during the past three decades to document this falcon’s biology and conservation status.

The Peregrine Fund has a captive breeding program for Orange-breasted Falcons. Find out more. From 2006-2014, 56 falcons were raised in captivity, of which 39 have been released back into the wild in Belize. Of these, 23 had become independent (as of 2013), and some have paired with wild bred birds and entered the local breeding population.

As a signature species of the tropical forest, the Orange-breasted Falcon can help focus attention on natural areas for the benefit of all tropical biodiversity.

There is some level of demand for Orange-breasted Falcons in the overseas pet trade. In the market in Lima, Peru, for example, about 20 individuals turned up in the last decade. Two falcons were seen there as recently as 2007, although these were the first observed there in several years. These birds apparently are caught in mist nets, perhaps as by-catch in the parrot trade.