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PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) STATUS Federal: None State: Species of Special Concern Other: None DESCRIPTION The prairie falcon has heavily spotted, creamy-white underparts and pale brown upperparts. The immature peregrine falcon is similar, but the prairie falcon has narrower, paler facial markings. The crown of the prairie falcon is streaked. Immature prairie falcons are buffy below. Adults and immatures show distinctive dark axillaries and wing coverts in flight (National Geographic Society, 1987). The body length of the prairie falcon varies from 15 1/2 - 19 1/2 inches, while the wingspan can reach 3 1/2 feet (National Geographic Society, 1987). Females are about 1/3 larger than males (Ehrlich, Dobkins and Wheye, 1988). The flight of this species is very rapid and direct. DISTRIBUTION The prairie falcon breeds from southwestern Canada south to California, Arizona,New Mexico and Texas with the eastern limit of the breeding range in central North and South Dakota. The prairie falcon also nests in Baja and Sonora, Mexico. Prairie falcons winter throughout the breeding range in small numbers (National Geographic Society, 1987). In California the prairie falcon is a permanent resident, with nesting occurring throughout the state where suitable habitat exists. The largest number of nesting territories are located in the Mojave Desert and the central coast regions, while northwest California and the Sierras support the smallest number of nesting territories. In California an estimated 300-500 pairs of falcons attempt to nest each year (Boyce, Garrett and Walton, 1986). The breeding season extends form mid- March through mid-August (McCaskie, DeBenedictis, Erickson and Morlan, 1988). HABITAT PREFERENCES Prairie falcons nest on cliff ledges and in rock crevices that face open habitat. The nest is usually an unlined scrape located 30 - 40 feet above the ground (Ehrlich et al., 1988). Open, unforested habitats in mountainous regions, short grass prairie, alpine tundra and deserts are utilized for hunting grounds (Ehrlich et al., 1988). Prairie falcons are found at lower elevations during the winter.