Clad in dusty browns to match its grassland or shrubland habitats, the Prairie Falcon is a fast and powerful hunter. It uses its speed in pursuit of mammals more often than many falcons, but will also take birds using high-speed dives.
Prairie Falcon
Falco mexicanus
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Prairie Falcon
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Little Change
Confidence: Medium
Goal
Within Goal Range
The Prairie Falcon reaches the northern end of its distribution in the dry grasslands of southcentral British Columbia and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. The species overwinters from the southern edges of its Canadian breeding range through much of the western United States and Mexico. There are approximately 2,400 individuals in Canada, representing 2% of the global population and a low degree of responsibility for Canada. The Breeding Bird Survey indicates that the population has shown little change relative to 1970, but confidence is only medium because of limitations to survey coverage. The national population of Prairie Falcon is within its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
2,400
Annual
2,400
Global
110,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Grassland Birds
Birds of Prey
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Prairie Falcon. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/52c8-rn84
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Clad in dusty browns to match its grassland or shrubland habitats, the Prairie Falcon is a fast and powerful hunter. It uses its speed in pursuit of mammals more often than many falcons, but will also take birds using high-speed dives.
Distribution and Occurrence
3650
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Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Breeding Bird Survey
Hawk Migration Association of North America
Christmas Bird Count
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Grassland Birds
Birds of Prey
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Prairie Falcon. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/52c8-rn84