Prairie Falcon
Adobe Stock
L 16”, WS 40”, 1.6lb. Brown overall, sports a thin dark “mustache” and a white breast speckled with brown spots.
Status in North Dakota
Year-round, some migratory. Peak breeding season April to July.
Range Map
Prairie Falcon primary (dark gray) and possible/uncommon (light gray) breeding range. Winter and migration range (hatch).
Reason for SWAP Designation
Regionally or globally imperiled (SGCN a.).
ND ranks 14th out of 16 states for highest percent of the global population during the breeding season (eBird).
The Prairie Falcon may be stable in ND but is slightly declining in other parts of the western range.
Threats
Loss of grasslands and shrubland, habitat modification.
Destruction or degradation of native prairie resulting in the loss of foraging habitat or prey species may impact populations.
Human disturbance may be a potential factor resulting in nest failure.
Nests closer to roads and easily accessed or disturbed by human activities have resulted in less success.
Classified as climate-endangered, Prairie Falcon is projected to lose more than half of its current distribution by 2050, with no net gains of new areas (Audubon).
Collisions with vehicles, overhead lines, wind turbines or other structures, and electrocution.
Poaching is rare but is a senseless cause of mortality.
Research and Monitoring
Habitat requirements and demographic studies have been broadly researched on the breeding grounds.
Additional information is needed on migration and wintering behaviors.
The Breeding Bird Survey, eBird and Partners in Flight Databases are key sources of information on distribution and population trends.
Management Recommendations
- Protect and conserve intact tracks of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Preserve ground squirrel colonies and habitats near falcon nest sites.
- Minimize activity within 0.5 mile of active aeries from April through August.
- Follow beneficial or best practices during the design, siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of tall structures (e.g. transmission lines, communication towers, wind turbines).
- Use avian protection plans or guidance documents to minimize bird/powerline interactions.
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Prairie Falcons use shortgrass prairie, shrub steppe, and agricultural habitats in generally arid landscapes.
Nest primarily on cliffs, buttes, canyon walls, rock outcrops, and ridges.
Aeries include depressions into the side of a cliff, horizontal ledges, or may use artificial cliff cavities created by humans.
Aerie is usually located on the top two-thirds of the cliff.
Prairie Falcons may, although rarely, also nest in trees, transmission line towers, or in abandoned nests of other birds.
Nest sites tend to face south.
Home ranges average around 70 km².
Primary prey items include ground squirrels, passerines, lizards, and other small rodents.