Birds
Prairie Falcon
Falco mexicanus · also called prairie falcons
Across a stretch of open western rangeland, a prairie falcon skims low and fast just above the grass, using the terrain itself to stay hidden from a ground squirrel colony until the very last possible second.
Overview
The prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus, is a pale, powerfully built falcon native to arid grassland, desert, and mountainous habitat across western North America. Its cliff-nesting lifestyle and ability to meet nearly all its water needs through prey alone make it one of the more specialised and self-sufficient falcons found on the continent.
A falcon that never needs to stop for water
While many birds must stay within reach of a reliable water source, the prairie falcon has adapted to sidestep that requirement almost entirely, drawing what it needs directly from its prey and freeing itself to nest on some of the driest cliffs in western North America.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable arid grassland, desert, and mountain habitat throughout western North America.
Prairie Falcon: common questions
Why does the prairie falcon nest so far from water?
A prairie falcon obtains most of its water needs from the body fluids of the prey it eats, meaning it does not need to nest near a permanent water source the way many other birds do, freeing it to occupy desert and canyon cliffs across genuinely arid landscapes.
How can you identify a prairie falcon in flight?
A prairie falcon displays distinctive dark patches on the underside of its wings near the body, a useful field mark visible when the bird is seen from below, and it also shows an overall paler, sandy brown colouration compared with the darker peregrine falcon.
What does the prairie falcon mainly hunt?
A prairie falcon feeds heavily on ground squirrels and other small mammals, often hunting by flying low and fast across open range and using the terrain itself to conceal its approach before launching a sudden attack, along with catching birds during fast pursuit flights.
Where does the prairie falcon live?
The prairie falcon is native to arid grassland, desert, and mountainous habitat across western North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico, and typically nests on cliff ledges within this dry landscape.