When it comes to falcons in Arizona, you’ll find 5 different species. In this article we’ll take a look at these amazing birds and learn a few things about them, such as where and when you can spot them, what they look like, and a few fun facts about each.
Arizona is located in the southwest near the Mexico border. Moderately sized, the state has an area of almost 114k square miles. Positioned just north of Mexico, Arizona is also right in the migratory path of many different species of birds. So it would make sense that there are several different species of falcons in Arizona.
Falcons, part of the family Falconidae, are birds of prey but different from eagles, kites, and hawks in several ways. Though they are all in the order Falconiformes. Unlike these other raptors, falcons kill their prey with their beaks rather than their talons.
There are over 60 species of falcons in the world with 6 of those species living in the United States. 5 of these species can be found in the state of Arizona.
5 species of falcons in Arizona
The 5 species of falcons found in Arizona are the American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon, and Crested Caracara.
With that being said, let’s get to the list of Arizona falcons!
1. American Kestrel
Length: 8.7-12.2 in
Weight: 2.8-5.8 oz
Wingspan: 20.1-24.0 in
The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest falcon, but don’t let that fool you. Kestrels are fierce predators that can take down other birds as big or bigger than they are, such as Northern Flickers. They primarily feed on insects and invertebrates, but also eat small mammals and other birds. They can be found throughout Arizona all year, however some kestrels that live further south may migrate north to breed.
These tiny falcons have small heads and beaks as well as some beautiful markings, especially t