One of the most impressive sights in the unforested regions east of the Cascades is a Prairie falcon strafing a Belding's ground squirrel colony repeatedly at full speed in hopes of catching one emerging from its burrow at just the wrong moment.

Prairie falcons are most common in rimrock country where they nest, but may travel great distances in search of prey.

Prairie falcons are large, sandy brown above and off-white with variable amounts of streaking below. The face has a vertical stripe below the eye, as do many falcons. In flight, the long, pointed wings and long tail identify it as a falcon.

Hear the call of the Prairie falcon

Photo by Kathy Munsel, ODFW