Colorado has a bit of a split personality with flat grassy plains in the eastern half and mountains dominating the western half. The prairie falcon shares this split identity. While it is widespread in the prairie-like landscape of the east, it is also quite comfortable in the western rocky regions.

Falcons are a group of raptors designed for speed, as compared to hawks they have more slender pointed wings and long narrow tails. Their flight pattern is powerful and direct, with occasional soaring. Like other raptors, they have powerful feet with sharp talons to capture prey, and thick curved beaks with a hook at the tip for tearing flesh. Falcons have rounded heads with dark vertical lines, or “sideburns”, on the side of the face. Peregrine Falcons are also resident in Teller County, but few in number, and other possible falcon species include American kestrel and Merlin.

Prairie falcons approach the size of a red-tailed hawk, with a wingspan of about 3.5 feet. They are a resident species that is always around, but in small numbers so they can be considered uncommon to rare. Prairie falcons prefer to be near cliff areas, but while foraging they will roam widely over other habitats. They also prefer open spaces where they pursue prey items, flying swiftly near the ground. They mostly catch small mammals and birds but will also go after reptiles and large insects.

The body of the prairie falcon is light brown and paler below with brown streaking. While soaring overhead, look fast for their distinctive “dirty armpits,” a dark area under the wing that separates them from the similar Peregrine falcon. While they are darker above, Peregrines are paler below and lack any contrasting dark area under the wing, but their “sideburns” are bolder and thicker than on the prairie. The sexes are similar in most falcons but the females are larger.

Last winter I had the first yard sighting of a prairie falcon that was chasing a magpie. Typically, magpies are the bully in the yard area, but the tables turned on the magpie that day. Like other raptors, prairie falcons will roam above treeline and I have seen them in the tundra areas of Pikes Peak. One of the best places to observe prairie falcons is the central garden area at Garden of the Gods. They nest in the huge rock features and have become accustomed to the masses of humanity there. With binoculars it is typically not too difficult to get good looks at them, occasionally hunting the sizable pigeon flocks, with their shrieking calls piercing the landscape. Their harsh cries are quite similar to the Peregrine but are slightly higher pitched.

Joe LaFleur studied wildlife biology and communications at Colorado State University and is the creator of “Better Birdwatching,” a DVD series on North American birds. Contact him with questions and feedback at joe@betterbirdwatching.com.