Falcons are streamlined birds with pointed wings and moderately long tails. They are the swiftest birds, capable of speeds of 150 to 200 mph during vertical dives or stoops.
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus
1, 2: Adults ... 3, 4: Immatures
Length: 15-21 inches
Wingspread: 38-45 inches
Weight: 1.1-3.4 pounds
Habitat: open areas, especially along rivers and floodplains
The name peregrine means "wanderer" or "migrator" and this large falcon has, in fact, the most extensive natural distribution of any bird in the world. Because it inhabits every continent except Antarctica and is found on many oceanic islands, the peregrine could be called the world's most successful bird. In the field, peregrines are slaty or bluegray above and white or pinkish below, barred black in adults and streaked in immatures.
Though they historically nested in Missouri through the 1800s, the peregrine has been extirpated as a breeder throughout the eastern United States, including Missouri. Causes include contamination from pesticides (notably DDT), human disturbances at nest sites, shooting and such land use as agriculture, wetland drainage, mining, road construction and recreation. The peregrine is included on both federal and state endangered species lists. It remains a rare migrant visitor to Missouri in spring and fall. Peregrines capture the majority of their prey in mid-air, usually in a high-speed, vertical dive.
Diet: birds including shorebirds, ducks, geese, pigeons, doves, woodpeckers, songbirds, herons, rails, terns, gulls, sea birds and grebes (95 to 100 percent); mammals including mice and ground squirrels (5 percent).
Prairie Falcon - Falco mexicanus
1: Immature ... 2: Adult
Length: 16-19 inches
Wingspread: 38-43 inches
Weight: 1.1-2.2 pounds
Habitat: river floodplains and open farmland
This large falcon inhabits the western United States and southern Canada but appears infrequently in Missouri during the winter. Prairie falcons can be distinguished from the similar-sized peregrines by their lighter build, brown back and blackish triangles visible at the base of the underwings during flight.
Although listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, prairie falcons appear to be holding their own in most states. Reasons for some local declines include contamination by pesticides and mercury, lack of suitable nest ledges in cliffs and habitat loss, especially due to monotypic grain-farming.
Prairie falcons are aggressive, irascible, excitable birds that harass larger ravens, hawks and eagles unmercifully. They capture their prey on or near the ground after a long, shallow dive.
Diet: mammals including ground squirrels, mice, rats and gophers (40 to 60 percent); birds including doves, pigeons, songbirds, grouse, quail and swifts (40 to 60 percent).
Merlin - Falco columbarius
1, 2: Males ... 3: Female
Length: 10-13 inches
Wingspread: 22-26 inches
Weight: 5-10 ounces
Habitat: open areas, especially along major river floodplains
The merlin, sometimes called pigeon hawk, is a small, dashing, fearless falcon that nests in the boreal forests, marshlands, prairies and prairie parklands of North America. Merlins do not nest in Missouri but do pass through the state in small numbers in spring and fall. Merlins have suffered severe declines in some areas because of pesticides and agricultural expansion and are Blue-Listed by the National Audubon Society.
Males are slate-blue on the back and buffy with cinnamon streaks underneath; females are brown on the back with buffy brown streaks underneath.
Merlins commonly hunt by flying low over the ground in a veering and erratic course, with rapidly beating wings and short glides.
Diet: mammals including mice and bats (1 percent); birds including teal, shorebirds, songbirds, woodpeckers, rails and nighthawks (80 to 100 percent); insects (5 to 50 percent).
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius
1, 2: Males ... 3, 4: Females
Length: 9-12 inches
Wingspread: 20-24 inches
Weight: 3.2-6.4 ounces
Habitat: farmland, suburban and urban areas
The American kestrel is the smallest and most colorful of North American Falconiformes. Males have a bright rufous back with some black bars, a bright rufous tail and bluish-gray wings; females are brown, barred with black on back and tail, and buff with brownish streaks underneath.
Kestrels, commonly called sparrow hawks, are unique in that they are the only North American falcon or hawk to nest in cavities--not only in natural cavities and woodpecker holes but in the eaves of buildings and barns and in nest boxes as well.
Kestrels are common residents of Missouri throughout the year. Nesting usually begins in mid-March, and a clutch of four to six eggs is laid in early April. The female does most of the incubating for 28 to 30 days, while the male hunts for her. Young kestrels fledge from the nest after 28 to 30 days.
Because many old-growth trees and snags are being cut or cleared, and with the conversion of habitat to monotypic grain farms, these beautiful falcons have declined in some areas. They are Blue-Listed by the National Audubon Society.
Kestrels typically hunt from a conspicuous perch or hover like miniature helicopters. The flight is buoyant, graceful and rapid, quite like a large swallow.
Diet: mammals including bats, mice, shrews, rats, gophers, young ground squirrels and young cottontails (70 percent); birds, mainly house sparrows (10 percent); invertebrates including worms, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, dragonflies and butterflies (20 percent); reptiles and amphibians (1 percent).
