Prairie Falcon

Prairie Falcon ( Falco mexicanus )

The prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus ) is a medium-sized falcon, which is native in western North America.

Appearance

Prairie falcons are similar in body size to a peregrine falcon or a crow. They reach an average body length of 40 cm and have a wingspan of one meter. Its weight is about 700 grams. As with hawks usual, the female is much larger than the male.

The body plumage of adult birds is gray-brown on the top. At the bottom of the body plumage is brighter and shows more or less dark spots. At the darkest are the primaries, the brightest outer tail feathers. At the top there is a white line above the eye. From the peregrine falcon prairie to distinguish among others by the tail, which is proportional to the body significantly longer with them. Your flight seems a bit less elegant and agile.

Distribution area

Prairie falcons nest from southern Saskatchewan and Alberta to British Columbia and to the west of the United States. They are also breeding birds of Mexico. Unlike other North American hawks their migratory behavior is less pronounced. Only the northernmost breeding birds leave their breeding grounds and wintering in the deserts and coastal areas from California to Baja California.

Habitat

Prairie falcons are birds that primarily live in open landscapes. They prefer this arid areas, ranging from alpine tundra to short grass prairie areas and pronounced desert areas. During their breeding season they will stay in the vicinity of rocky regions, where they nest on rock slopes. Outside these hours, they are less demanding in terms of their habitat and are occasionally observed even in cities.

Stock

The number of North American birds is estimated to be about 5,000 breeding pairs.