Prairie Falcon

The prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) is a medium-large raptor, akin in size to the well-known peregrine falcon or a crow. It boasts a wingspan of about 1 meter and an average weight of 720 grams. The females of this species are notably larger than the males, a common trait among falcons. This bird is the sole large falcon endemic to North America, with a range extending from southern Canada through the western United States to northern Mexico.

Identification Tips

Adult prairie falcons exhibit a warm gray-brown or "sandy" plumage on their upper parts, while their underparts are paler with varying degrees of dark mottling. The primary wing feathers are the darkest, and the rump and tail, particularly the outer tail feathers, are the lightest. A narrow "moustache" mark, akin to that of a peregrine falcon, adorns the head, along with a white line above the eye. A distinctive feature is the black axillars and underwing coverts, save for along the wing's leading edge, creating a "strut" effect from the body along each wing.

Habitat

The prairie falcon favors open country, particularly arid regions such as alpine tundra, shortgrass prairie, and high desert during the summer. In winter, it can be found in low deserts and occasionally urban areas.

Distribution

This falcon breeds from southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and south-central British Columbia, south through the western United States to Baja California, Durango, and northern San Luis Potosí in Mexico. It is less migratory than other North American falcons but does retreat from the northernmost and highest parts of its breeding range in winter.

Behaviour

The prairie falcon is an aggressive and opportunistic hunter, preying on a wide range of mammals and birds. It employs various hunting and flight styles, including low, fast flights to surprise prey, high-speed stoops, and tail-chases after prey sighted from a perch.

Song & Calls

The calls of the prairie falcon, often heard near the nest, are a series of repetitive "kree kree kree…" or "kik kik kik…", similar to the peregrine's but higher-pitched.

Breeding

Prairie falcons nest on cliff ledges, with the female doing most of the incubating and brooding. The male provides most of the food, with the female also hunting as the young grow older. The clutch typically consists of four eggs, and the young fledge 36 to 41 days after hatching.

Similar Species

The prairie falcon can be distinguished from the peregrine falcon by its longer tail, more tubular body, and wing joint placement farther from the body. Its wingbeats are strong and shallow, similar to the peregrine's but stiffer and more mechanical.

Diet and Feeding

Prairie falcons primarily consume small mammals and birds caught in flight. They are capable of taking prey up to their own size and occasionally larger, but they typically focus on prey they can carry, especially during the nesting season.

Conservation status

The prairie falcon is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable or increasing population estimated at over 5,000 pairs. However, it has faced local declines due to habitat loss from development.

Use in falconry

The prairie falcon is a popular choice in falconry, valued for its aggressiveness and agility. With proper training, it can be as effective as the peregrine falcon in hunting.

Mortality and causes

Great horned owls are a significant predator of prairie falcons. Additionally, infestations of parasites such as Haematosiphon inodorus may contribute to fledgling mortality.