Prairie Falcon (Falco Mexicanus)

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Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) Field Marks: - length: 14.6-18.5 inches; wingspan: 35.4-44.5 inches - large falcons, nearly the same size as the Peregrine - mostly brown, with pale undersides featuring brown markings; darker markings from armpit to wrist - brown “mustache” stripe, as well as a dark malar stripe Breeding Range: Some Prairie Falcons remain year-round residents of western states, their territory extending far into Mexico, others have distinct breeding and wintering ranges. Of those that do migrate, many breed in lower Canada; they are notoriously aggressive when it comes to defending their nest sites. Wintering Range: Many stick to the open hills, plains, and deserts they inhabit year-round, though in winter a greater number are found in farmland and around lakes reservoirs throughout the west. Habitat Preferences: The Prairie Falcon is iconic of the west. This raptor favors deserts, grasslands, plains, and prairies. The species may also be found in open country above the treeline in the high mountains. Nesting: Prairie Falcons are particular in where they make their nests. A mated pair may take as long as a month scouting sites for their nest, though they will usually select a natural crevice or cliff ledge. Cliff nests are utilized in order to protect vulnerable young from predation. Prairie Falcons have also been known to utilize trees, powerline structures, and tall buildings as nest sites. Feeding: These raptors use a wide range of hunting techniques. They are often spotted in a steep dive in pursuit of other birds in flight. They may also fly low to the ground, in order to take prey by surprise. They like to make meals of small mammals, insects, and other bird species. Nesting pairs may cache extra food. Conservation Status: Though Prairie Falcon populations have declined in developing western areas, their populations remain strong across the country. Prairie Falcons are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticides, so conservationists are actively working to continue tracking the numbers of these species in the US, paying close attention to any sharp declines. .

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Life History Account for Peregrine Falcon
California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Interagency Wildlife Task Group PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Family: FALCONIDAE Order: FALCONIFORMES Class: AVES B129 Written by: C. Polite, J. Pratt Reviewed by: L. Kiff Edited by: L. Kiff DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY Very uncommon breeding resident, and uncommon as a migrant. Active nesting sites are known along the coast north of Santa Barbara, in the Sierra Nevada, and in other mountains of northern California. In winter, found inland throughout the Central Valley, and occasionally on the Channel Islands. Migrants occur along the coast, and in the western Sierra Nevada in spring and fall. Breeds mostly in woodland, forest, and coastal habitats. Riparian areas and coastal and inland wetlands are important habitats yearlong, especially in nonbreeding seasons. Population has declined drastically in recent years (Thelander 1975,1976); 39 breeding pairs were known in California in 1981 (Monk 1981). Decline associated mostly with DDE contamination. Coastal population apparently reproducing poorly, perhaps because of heavier DDE load received from migrant prey. The State has established 2 ecological reserves to protect nesting sites. A captive rearing program has been established to augment the wild population, and numbers are increasing (Monk 1981). SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: Swoops from flight onto flying prey, chases in flight, rarely hunts from a perch. Takes a variety of birds up to ducks in size; occasionally takes mammals, insects, and fish. In Utah, Porter and White (1973) reported that 19 nests averaged 5.3 km (3.3 mi) from the nearest foraging marsh, and 12.2 km (7.6 mi) from the nearest marsh over 130 ha (320 ac) in area.
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Regional Specialties Western
REGIONAL SPECIALTIES WESTERN OSPREY 21 - 26” length SOUTHERN . FERRUGINOUS . Eagle sized; clean, white body. HAWK Black wrist marks. 20 - 26” length . Glides with kink (M) in long, narrow wings. MISSISSIPPI . Largest buteo; eagle-like. KITE . Pale below with dark leggings. 13 - 15” length . Mostly white tail; 3 color morphs. Long, pointed wings; slim body. Light body; dark wings; narrow, black tail. Not to scale. Buoyant, acrobatic flight. NORTHERN HARRIER 16 - 20” length PRAIRIE FALCON 14 - 18” length . Long, narrow wings and tail; sharp dihedral. Size of Peregrine; much paler plumage. Brown above, streaked brown below – female. Narrow moustache; spotted breast; long tail. Gray above, pale below with black wing tips – male. Dark armpits and partial wing linings. WING PROFILE IMMATURE BALD EAGLE BALD EAGLE GOLDEN EAGLE . Immature birds vary GOLDEN EAGLE greatly in the amount 27 to 35” length of white spotting on body and wings. White showing on wing linings is surely a Bald Eagle. BALD EAGLE . Like large buteo, curvy wings. Head protrudes much less than tail. Slight dihedral to wing profile. NOTE: Some hawks soar and glide with their wings raised above the horizontal, called a dihedral. 27 to 35” length . Head and tail length similar. Long, flat wings. Straight leading edge to wings. 24 to 28” length This guide developed by Paul Carrier is the property of the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA). HMANA is TURKey VUltUre a membership-based, non-profit organization committed to the . Dark wing linings with light flight feathers. conservation of raptors through the scientific study, enjoyment, and . Small head; long tail; sharp dihedral.
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Syringeal Morphology and the Phylogeny of the Falconidae’
The Condor 96:127-140 Q The Cooper Ornithological Society 1994 SYRINGEAL MORPHOLOGY AND THE PHYLOGENY OF THE FALCONIDAE’ CAROLES.GRIFFITHS Departmentof Ornithology,American Museum of NaturalHistory and Departmentef Biology, City Collegeof City Universityof New York, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024 Abstract. Variation in syringealmorphology was studied to resolve the relationshipsof representativesof all of the recognized genera of falcons, falconets, pygmy falcons, and caracarasin the family Falconidae. The phylogenyderived from thesedata establishesthree major cladeswithin the family: (1) the Polyborinae, containingDaptrius, Polyborus, Milvago and Phalcoboenus,the four genera of caracaras;(2) the Falconinae, consistingof the genus Falco, Polihierax (pygmy falcons),Spiziapteryx and Microhierax (falconets)and Herpetothe- res (Laughing Falcon); and (3) the genus Micrastur(forest falcons) comprising the third, basal clade. Two genera, Daptriusand Polihierax,are found to be polyphyletic. The phy- logeny inferred from these syringealdata do not support the current division of the family into two subfamilies. Key words: Falconidae;phylogeny; systematics; syrinx; falcons; caracaras. INTRODUCTION 1. The Polyborinae. This includes seven gen- Phylogenetic relationships form the basis for re- era: Daptrius, Milvago, Polyborus and Phalco- searchin comparative and evolutionary biology boenus(the caracaras),Micrastur (forest falcons), (Page1 and Harvey 1988, Gittleman and Luh Herpetotheres(Laughing Falcon) and Spiziapter- 1992). Patterns drawn from cladogramsprovide yx (Spot-winged Falconet). the blueprints for understanding biodiversity, 2. The Falconinae. This includes three genera: biogeography,behavior, and parasite-hostcospe- Falco, Polihierax (pygmy falcons) and Micro- ciation (Vane-Wright et al. 199 1, Mayden 1988, hierax (falconets). Page 1988, Coddington 1988) and are one of the Inclusion of the caracarasin the Polyborinae key ingredients for planning conservation strat- is not questioned (Sharpe 1874, Swann 1922, egies(Erwin 199 1, May 1990).
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Raptor Identification Guide Usually Soars for Long Periods Without Flapping Wings for Birds Commonly Seen in the Dark Brown Wings and Body
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Prairie and Peregrine Falcon Occupancy and Productivity Monitoring at Pinnacles National Park 2019 Annual Report
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Prairie and Peregrine Falcon Occupancy and Productivity Monitoring at Pinnacles National Park 2019 Annual Report Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR—2020/2081 ON THE COVER Prairie falcon fledglings, Discovery Wall, Pinnacles National Park, California. NPS /Gavin Emmons Prairie and Peregrine Falcon Occupancy and Productivity Monitoring at Pinnacles National Park 2019 Annual Report Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR—2020/2081 Gavin Emmons National Park Service Pinnacles National Park 5000 Highway 146 Paicines, California 95043 February 2020 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
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Pocket Guide to Raptors of the Pembina Valley Region, Manitoba
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Prairie Falcon Depredation Attempts on a Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek in South-Central Nebraska
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln The Prairie Naturalist Great Plains Natural Science Society 12-2017 Prairie Falcon Depredation Attempts on a Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek in South-Central Nebraska Andrew J. Caven Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, [email protected] Joshua D. Wiese Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust William R. Wallauer Jane Goodall Institute, Vienna Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tpn Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Botany Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Systems Biology Commons, and the Weed Science Commons Caven, Andrew J.; Wiese, Joshua D.; and Wallauer, William R., "Prairie Falcon Depredation Attempts on a Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek in South-Central Nebraska" (2017). The Prairie Naturalist. 83. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tpn/83 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Great Plains Natural Science Society at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Prairie Naturalist by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 76 The Prairie Naturalist • 49(2): December 2017 PRAIRIE FALCON DEPREDATION ATTEMPTS ON sunrise and continued for 1 hr. Behavioral descriptions of A GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN LEK IN SOUTH- depredation attempts were made in narrative form and every CENTRAL NEBRASKA—Little information exists effort was made to take photos of events. concerning Prairie falcons’ (Falco mexicanus; PRFA) On 15 Mar 2015 and 26 April 2015, we documented seasonal movements, habitat use, and diet outside of the PRFAs attempting to depredate lekking GRPCs. One of the breeding season; this is especially true in the eastern portion two observed attempts resulted in direct contact between a of its wintering and migratory range (Steenhof 1998, Sharpe PRFA and a male GRPC and appeared potentially successful, et al.
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Falconiform Reproduction: a Review. Part 1. the Pre-Nestling Period
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Prairie Falcon Falco Mexicanus the Prairie Falcon Is One of San Diego County’S Scarcest Breeding Birds, with a Population of 20 to 30 Pairs
Falcons — Family Falconidae 179 Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus The Prairie Falcon is one of San Diego County’s scarcest breeding birds, with a population of 20 to 30 pairs. The birds nest on ledges on cliffs or bluffs and forage in open desert or grassland. They are somewhat more numerous in winter, enough so to be considered merely uncommon at that season in San Diego County’s largest grassland, Warner Valley. In spite of nesting birds’ sensitivity to human dis- turbance the San Diego County population seems stable. Breeding distribution: The Prairie Falcon has an inland Photo by Anthony Mercieca distribution; all known or likely current nest sites are at least 23 miles from the coast. Five to ten pairs are in rug- ged areas of the coastal slope, down to an elevation of egg set collected in the county was from an old raven nest. about 1000 feet. Six to ten pairs are on the steep east slope Of seven nests checked by D. Bittner in the Anza–Borrego of the county’s mountains, and about seven pairs are in Desert in 2004, three were in rock cavities, two were in rocky hills or badlands within the Anza–Borrego Desert. old raven nests, and two were in old eagle nests. Most nest sites are near grassland or desert plains where Data on the Prairie Falcon’s nesting schedule in San the birds forage, but some on cliffs on the coastal slope Diego County are still minimal. The one egg set was col- are surrounded by chaparral, sage scrub, and oak wood- lected 4 April 1926 (WFVZ 63160).
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Prairie Falcon
Species Sheets: Prairie Falcon Common name: Prairie Falcon Latin Name: Falco mexicanus Field Marks: Length 151/2-191/2 inches Wing span 35-43 inches photo by Kate Davis © arge pale brown falcon of open country, with Movement: Lrusty upperparts and light underneath with dark Young move in all directions-north, south, east, west- spots on adult, and streaks or bars on immature. Dark after being kicked out of breeding grounds by parent axillar, or armpit, feathers tell a Prairie from a birds. Winter hunting ranges are often quite large. Peregrine; both about the same size. On head, a white stripe above the eye and one behind the mustache stripe mean Prairie. Interesting Fact: Habitat: Prairie Falcons did not suffer the same population The arid West, and open country with cliffs for nesting. declines as the result of DDT poisoning as their cousins the Peregrines. Birds and fish hold more poisons than Behavior: mammals due to biomagnification, the tendency for the These birds experts in both ground and aerial prey. concentration of toxic substances to increase as one Will take on abundant ground squirrels all summer, moves up the food chain. Rodents eat vegetation (short then switch to birds in the air, such as Horned Larks food chain), whereas many birds feed on insects that have eaten other invertebrates and so on (long food in winter months. Low flying tactics surprise both. chain). Prairie Falcons were spared due to their largely mammalian diet of ground squirrels all summer. But Nest and eggs: Prairie Falcons switch to a largely bird diet over the On a cliff or ledge, and look for the “whitewash” or winter after the squirrels have hibernated.
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Town of Superior Raptor Monitoring 2020 Summary
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Northern Goshawk Forest and Range Experiment Station in the Southwestern United States Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
This file was created by scanning the printed publication. Errors identified by the software have been corrected; however, some errors may remain. United States Department of Agriculture Management Recommendations Forest Service Rocky Mountain for the Northern Goshawk Forest and Range Experiment Station in the Southwestern United States Fort Collins, Colorado 80526 General Technical Report RM-217 Reynolds, Richard T.; Graham, Russell T.; Reiser, M. Hildegard; and others. 1992. Management recommendations for the northern goshawk in the southwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-217, Ft. Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 90 p. Present forest conditions – loss of a herbaceous and shrubby understory, reductions in the amount of older forests, and increased areas of dense tree regeneration – reflect the extent of human influence on these forests. These changes may also be affecting goshawk populations. Information on goshawk nesting habitat and foraging behavior, and the food and habitats of selected goshawk prey, was therefore synthesized to develop a set of management objectives, desired forest conditions, and management recommendations. Key objectives of the guidelines are to provide (1) nesting, post-fledging, and foraging areas for goshawks, and (2) habitat to support abundant populations of 14 primary goshawk prey. Thinning trees in the understory, creating small openings in the forest, and prescribed fires should help produce and maintain the desired forest conditions. Other habitat elements critical for maintaining both goshawk and prey populations include abundant snags and large downed logs, woody debris, interspersion of different tree sizes across the landscape, and the majority of a goshawk’s home range in older-aged forests.
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