Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Prairie Falcons is a medium-sized falcon of western North America. Male prairie falcons are usually 37 to 38 cm in length (~15 inches) and weigh 500 to 635g (1.1 to 1.4 lbs). Females are about 45 cm in length (17.7 inches) and weigh 762 to 970g (1.7 to 2.1 lbs). Both males and females have a wingspan of roughly 1 m long. Commonly confused with a peregrine falcon, it is brown overall, with a narrow dark whisker mark. It is paler than Peregrine, especially on the tail and underparts. Best known in flight by a heavy black mark under the base of the wing. (Audubon) This species is native to North America, and as of now, there are about 5,000 pairs, with the population being stable or increasing. However, there is a declining population in BC as urbanization, changing agricultural practices, and forest encroachment are limiting the habitat sites of BC. The nesting site that most prairie falcons select is most often in a natural crevice, pothole, or ledge on a cliff or steep bluff, with an overhang to protect the nest. Prairie Falcons don’t do nest building beyond scratching together loose debris into a small depression to hold the eggs. They tend to lay eggs in abandoned stick nests of other species, especially Common Ravens and Golden Eagles. (Cornell Lab)