Species BirdsPrairie Falcon

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus

UncommonBird
Illustration of Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)

The Prairie Falcon is a large, pale brown falcon of the open West, adapted to hunting in wide, flat country by pursuing birds and mammals in long, low stoops. Dark axillary patches — 'wingpit' marks — are distinctive in flight. It is an aggressive nest defender and is commonly found nesting on cliff faces and eroded badlands throughout the West.

Habitat
Open prairies, shrubsteppe, and desert cliffs
Diet
Horned larks, ground squirrels, and large insects
How common
Uncommon

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