The Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) is a large, powerful raptor native exclusively to Western North America. This falcon inhabits a wide range of open environments, including arid plains, vast prairies, mountain slopes, and high desert shrub-steppe. It is well-adapted to environments with low prey density, which results in aggressive and highly opportunistic hunting behaviors. The species is characterized by its sandy brown plumage and is nearly the size of the more widely known Peregrine Falcon.
Primary Mammalian and Avian Prey
The Prairie Falcon’s diet focuses on small mammals and birds, which represent the most energetically significant components of its food intake. During the breeding season, which often coincides with the peak activity of rodents, small mammals become the primary caloric source. Ground squirrels, such as the thirteen-lined, Belding’s, and Townsend’s species, are particularly important prey items in many areas.
This mammalian portion of the diet also includes pocket gophers, mice, and occasionally larger quarry like cottontail rabbits and prairie dogs. These rodents are often captured directly on the ground near their burrows, providing a substantial meal for the falcon and its young.
The avian component of the diet consists of small to medium-sized birds, which are frequently caught in flight. Common targets include flocking species like Western Meadowlarks, Horned Larks, and European Starlings. The falcon also preys on Mourning Doves, quail, and various other songbirds. The ability to switch between these two major prey classes ensures the falcon maintains a consistent food supply throughout the year.
Hunting Strategies and Techniques
Prairie Falcons employ a variety of hunting methods that capitalize on speed, surprise, and the open nature of their habitat. One common technique is the low-level flight search, where the falcon flies fast and only a few meters above the ground, using terrain for cover. This “strafing” flight is intended to flush and surprise prey on the ground or in low vegetation. Once prey is sighted, the falcon executes a rapid, low-angled swoop to capture the target on or near the ground. The falcon may also hunt from an elevated perch, dropping quickly to pursue prey sighted from a distance.
Against airborne targets, the Prairie Falcon is an exceptionally fast and maneuverable flyer, often pursuing birds in level flight. While the iconic high-altitude “stoop” is more famously associated with the Peregrine Falcon, the Prairie Falcon also uses a high-speed dive. This strike is often used to knock a bird out of the sky with a forceful blow, a technique sometimes observed when targeting larger waterfowl like ducks. The falcon depends on its agility and explosive speed to secure its meal, grasping prey with its sharp talons.
Supplementary and Seasonal Food Sources
The Prairie Falcon’s diet is highly opportunistic and shifts seasonally based on the availability of its preferred food. Outside of the breeding season, when the demand for high-calorie mammalian prey decreases, the falcon’s diet broadens to include less frequent items. Reptiles, such as small snakes and various lizards, are occasionally taken when encountered in the arid landscape.
Insects can also become an important supplementary food source, especially during summer months or periods of high abundance. Large insects like grasshoppers, locusts, and even scorpions are consumed, providing a readily accessible energy boost. This reliance on invertebrates increases when small mammal populations are dormant or less accessible.
The most notable seasonal variation occurs in winter, when many ground squirrels hibernate. During this time, the falcon shifts its focus to overwintering and flocking birds. It frequently concentrates its hunting efforts in areas where these birds congregate, such as agricultural fields and cattle feedlots.