Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus Schlegel, 1850

Falconidae — Caracaras, Falcons

Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus, is a falcon of North America, breeding from southern Canada into the southern United States and extending through Middle America. It was described by Schlegel in 1850 and belongs to the family Falconidae in the order Falconiformes. It is the only larger falcon native solely to North America. It is separated from the peregrine falcon, though the two share some visual likeness. The species is adapted to dry country and is known for taking a varied, opportunistic diet. It is also valued in falconry.

Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae — Caracaras, Falcons
Breeding range
North America, Middle America: sc Canada to sc USA
Prairie Falcon
© Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

12 tours in Canada 8, United States 4

Arizona in Winter
Arizona in Winter
United States / Arizona Group tour 9 days

Arizona is one of the top birding destinations in the USA, and winter is a great time to visit, with cool mornings and pleasant days. We wil...

From USD 3,725 Next: Jan 27, 2027
Private Pawnee Grassland Birding and Wildlife Day
Private Pawnee Grassland Birding and Wildlife Day
United States / Denver Private tour 10h

Explore Pawnee National Grassland and Crow Valley for prairie specialists, migrant passerines, raptors and other shortgrass wildlife on a pr...

From USD 495
Private Colorado Birds of Prey and Raptor Watching
Private Colorado Birds of Prey and Raptor Watching
United States / Denver Private tour 8h

Study and photograph Colorado raptors on a private full day, searching Front Range habitats for eagles, hawks, falcons, harriers and owls....

From USD 525
Winter in New Mexico Birding Tour with Kim Score
Winter in New Mexico Birding Tour with Kim Score
United States / Albuquerque Group tour 8 days

An 8-day winter New Mexico birding route for rosy-finches, cranes, geese, desert birds, raptors and Rio Grande winter specialties....

From USD 3,104
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12-29, 2027
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12-29, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 18 days

An 18-day self-drive grand tour across southern Saskatchewan, linking boreal forest, major lakes, prairie parks and river valleys during the...

From CAD 15,900
Canada – Saskatchewan Spring Birding Grand Tour: May 11–17, 2027
Canada – Saskatchewan Spring Birding Grand Tour: May 11–17, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 7 days

A seven-day self-drive spring journey from Saskatoon through Saskatchewan wetlands, prairie and grassland parks during the migration and bre...

From CAD 5,850
Great Sand Hills Birdwatching Tour from Saskatoon, Kindersley or Leader – 3 new options
Great Sand Hills Birdwatching Tour from Saskatoon, Kindersley or Leader – 3 new options
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 2 days

A private two- or three-day self-drive birding tour through the Great Sand Hills, South Saskatchewan River valley and, on the longer option,...

From CAD 1,290
Grasslands National Park Birding Tour from Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw or Swift Current – Best Prairie Birds 2026
Grasslands National Park Birding Tour from Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw or Swift Current – Best Prairie Birds 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3 days

A private three-day self-drive journey from Saskatoon into Grasslands National Park and southern Saskatchewan’s prairie and shorebird coun...

From CAD 2,190
Cypress Hills Tours from Saskatoon and Maple Creek: 3 options for birding Saskatchewan’s great southwest
Cypress Hills Tours from Saskatoon and Maple Creek: 3 options for birding Saskatchewan’s great southwest
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 8 days

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From CAD 4,980
Canada – Saskatchewan Mid-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 3–10, 2027
Canada – Saskatchewan Mid-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 3–10, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 8 days

An eight-day self-drive tour linking Saskatchewan wetlands, prairie, river valleys and the Great Sand Hills as young birds and early migrant...

From CAD 4,750
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12 – 26, 2026
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12 – 26, 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 15 days

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From CAD 50
Canada – Southwest Saskatchewan Birding Tour: July 9–16, 2027
Canada – Southwest Saskatchewan Birding Tour: July 9–16, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 8 days

An eight-day self-drive route through southwest Saskatchewan, combining major shorebird lakes, Cypress Hills, open prairie and Grasslands Na...

From CAD 5,580