Scientific Name: Falco mexicanus

Residency: Western North America from the Canadian prairies and southern valley of British Columbia to the Mexican border; winters are spent farther south.

Diet: Small mammals, insects, reptiles, and ground dwelling birds.

Predators:  Coyote, Bobcat, Great Horned Owl, and Golden Eagle.

Nesting: The nest is located on a ledge or cliff; true falcons do not make their own nest .  Three to six reddish, spotted eggs are laid.

Nesting Records:

Notes: Due to the use of DDT falcon populations greatly declined until 1972 when it was banned , and populations may still be declining in some areas of its range due to habitat loss, and possibly due to nest robbing by humans or through rodent poisoning.

Photo: The photo at right was taken at Scottsdale Community College on January 20, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.