GCBO Bird of the Month

Prairie Falcon

by Mike Williams

Geography/Habitat:

The Prairie Falcon, (Falco mexicanus), first described by Schlegel in 1850, is monotypic (the only one in its genus), being most closely related to the Peregrine Falcon. It is found from southwest Canada and the western half of the US, down into Mexico. While resident over much of its range, some movement northward in spring and southward in fall does occur. In Texas it is limited to the western part of the state, but some individuals wander eastward and southward in winter.


It inhabits mountainous and hilly pastures to deserts valleys and scrubland. Prairie Falcons do not interact easily with man and typically avoid towns and cities. Outside breeding season, they are typically solitary.


Prairie Falcons typically eat small birds which they chase on the wing, but also eat small mammals, lizards and insects. Most prey is taken low to the ground with a shallow stop being used. Note they have a particular fondness for ground squirrels and Horned Lark.


Breeding season runs from February to July and nest sites are typically cliffs and rocky outcrops. And more recently electric pylons. Eggs are laid in any small depression or scrape, and occasionally old raven/crows’ nests will be used. 2-6 whitish eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for around 30 days with the chicks fledging about 40 days after hatching. Breeding age is usually reached in the second year and life expectancy is around 8-9 years, with the oldest banded bird being 17.



Identification:


The Prairie Falcon is medium to large sized with brown upperparts, pale underparts with darker spots and dark underwing bars in flight. The legs and cere are yellow. The facial pattern is similar to Peregrine but all brown and white with a brown cap and neck and white throat and cheeks with dark malar stripe.


The Prairie Flacon's call is typically a high pitched “kik-kik-kik” but they are generally silent.



Interesting Facts:


·      Prairie Falcons rarely bathe in water but often take dust baths to try and keep clean.


·      Herman Schlegel, a German naturalist who first described the Prairie Falcon, was an opponent to Darwin and evolution. He considered species were created and “fixed” for all time. His major interests were reptiles and has number named after him.


·      A group of falcons is known as a bazaar, cast, or kettle



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