Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 2481000

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus

The Prairie Falcon is a pale brown falcon with pointed wings and dark axillary patches visible beneath the wing bases. It hunts low and fast over open arid country, taking ground squirrels, small birds, and other exposed prey.

aridland falconcliff nesterhigh-speed hunter
Prairie Falcon reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Aarón Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • ground squirrels
  • small birds
  • lizards
Predators
  • golden eagles
  • great horned owls
  • larger falcons
ThreatsCliff disturbance, shooting, electrocution, collisions, rodent poisoning, and loss of open habitat
HabitatsDesert, sagebrush steppe, prairie, canyon country, open mountains, and agricultural plains
Life spanOften five to ten years, with some wild birds living longer
Classification
  1. OrderFalconiformes
  2. FamilyFalconidae
  3. GenusFalco
  4. SpeciesFalco mexicanus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
View nesting cliffs from established routes and avoid repeated approaches or playback.
Responsible observation
  • Flight: Look for pointed wings and dark patches at the underwing bases.
  • Hunting: Scan low over open ground rather than only high in the sky.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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