If you were a squirrel, you would not want to see a prairie falcon. Those birds are fast. They snatch up small animals in the blink of an eye. Read on to find out how these fliers survive the seasons!
Prairie falcons live in the dry western parts of North America. (See Slide Show.) Just like other falcons, they are quick hunters that can chase down animals. These falcons are able to survive in the harsh of the desert. Droughts can make water hard to find.
In the summertime, there are plenty of squirrels for the birds to chow down on. But in the winter, it’s harder for the birds to find squirrels. The fliers may need to hunt down other birds for food. Those include meadowlarks, doves, and quail. In the winter, the birds’ grows. They must fly farther to find food.
The falcons have another trick for when food is . They hide their extra prey! They may stick their uneaten food high up in rocky cliffs. Up there, other animals can’t find it. These food stashes can help the falcons survive through tough times.
Prairie falcons may need our help in the future. When people turn prairie grasslands into farms, that can drive out the ground squirrels that prairie falcons need. To make sure the falcons have good places to live and plenty of food, government officials are making plans to help. These plans protect the areas where falcons live. They ensure the birds have enough food to eat for a high-flying future.
Updated January 25, 2024, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Ryan Cramer
