Hawk Like

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus
Prairie Falcon thumbnail
Length: 20 in. (50 cm )
Typically found in open habitats of desert, grasslands, meadows and agricultural fields, it is most often seen sitting on top of a tall telephone pole or an isolated tree. This large falcon hunts mainly for small mammals and small to medium-sized birds, but it will also take reptiles and large grasshoppers. It forages by flying over the prey and stooping down on them and also by diving from its high isolated perch. The nest is located on a high cliff ledge or rock crevice over open habitat.

The four-digit banding code is PRFA.

Male | Jim Burns


Agricultural

Cliffs / boulders

Desert

Grasslands

Savanna
Sonogram Large:
There are no sonograms saved for this bird.
Sonogram Zoom:
There are no sonograms saved for this bird.

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Prairie Falcon
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 7, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/prairie-falcon

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Prairie Falcon. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/prairie-falcon

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Prairie Falcon". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/prairie-falcon

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Prairie Falcon". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 7 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/prairie-falcon

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
A swallowtail caterpillar
Is there anything in nature that get smaller as it thrives?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom