Prairie Falcon

This falcon of arid grassland, sagebrush, and canyon country in the western United States and northern Mexico nests on cliff ledges and hunts fast, low passes over open ground for small mammals and birds. Its pale sandy-brown upperparts and dark axillary patches under the wing are useful in flight identification, and it is most active hunting in early morning and late afternoon over open terrain near its cliff nest sites. Canyon rims and prairie overlooks in spring and early summer, during the nesting period, often give the best flight views.