By Eileen Dowd Stukel
Photos by Doug Backlund

North America is home to eight species of falcons, diurnal birds of prey with long, pointed wings. South Dakotans may see as many as five falcon species at different times of the year. Three of these species - the merlin, prairie falcon, and peregrine falcon, are monitored by the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program as sensitive species.

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

South Dakota range and status: Common and widespread; nests in natural tree cavities and nestboxes; much less common during winter

North American range: Nests or winters throughout continent, except above treeline in Alaska and Canada

Prey: Large insects, such as grasshoppers and cicadas; small mammals and birds; forages in open areas, often hovering while seeking prey

Distinguishing characteristics: North America’s smallest falcon (10½" long, 23" wingspan); white face has two vertical black stripes (mustaches); both sexes have rusty-colored tails and backs with black barring; female’s wings are black and rust-colored, male’s wings are bluish-gray; when perched, wingtips do not reach tip of tail
 

MERLIN (Falco columbarius) (click here for photo)

South Dakota range and status: Rare nester and permanent resident of Black Hills and Harding County; often nests in old magpie nests

North American range: Nests in parts of western U.S. and throughout much of Canada; winters in western states and along Atlantic Coast of U.S.

Prey: Mostly small and medium-sized birds, usually captured in mid-air

Distinguishing characteristics: Larger than American kestrel (12" long, 25" wingspan); lacks kestrel’s dark facial marks; strongly barred tail; males are grayish-blue on back, juveniles and females usually brown on back; when perched, wingtips do not reach tip of tail; soars with wings flat and does not hover

PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus)

South Dakota range and status: Uncommon nester and permanent resident of extreme western South Dakota; nests on buttes or cliffs and hunts in adjacent grasslands

North American range: Nests in western U.S. and portions of Mexico and Canada; ranges farther east during winter

Prey: Ground squirrels, horned larks, other small birds and rodents; usually captures prey on or near the ground

Distinguishing characteristics: Larger than merlin (16-20" long, 35-41" wingspan); brownish above and whitish below; square, pale head with white behind eye; long, narrow dark mustaches; dark axillaries (wingpits or armpits) visible from below; when perched, wingtips do not reach tip of long tail; soars with wings flat

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)

South Dakota range and status: Rare historical nester and possibly future nester if hacking (reintroduction) efforts prove successful; seen during spring and fall migration in association with waterfowl and other waterbirds; nests on cliffs and on tall buildings in urban areas; state endangered

North American range: Widespread but rare, including reintroduced populations in eastern U.S.

Prey: Mainly ducks, songbirds, shorebirds, and pigeons

Distinguishing characteristics: Similar in size to prairie falcon (16-20" long, 36-44" wingspan), but lacks dark axillaries; dark helmetlike head with dark mustache marks; bluish-gray above, whitish below with barred belly and flanks; when perched, wingtips reach or nearly reach tip of tail

GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus)

South Dakota range and status: Winter visitor in central and northcentral South Dakota, particularly near Missouri River reservoirs

North American range: Nests in arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska and Canada; often nests in old stick nests of other bird species

Prey: Mainly waterfowl, taking birds as large as Canada geese; also ptarmigan and shorebirds