Family: Falconidae, Falcons view all from this family
Description 15-18" (38-45.5 cm). W. 40-48" (102-122 cm). Like a small, long- tailed, boldly patterned Peregrine Falcon. Adult blue-gray above, with bold "mustache" on face, white eyebrow, and black stripe through eye. Nape rusty; throat white; upper breast buff with heavy streaks; lower breast and flanks black; thighs and belly cinnamon. Young birds brown above, streaked on breast, plain brown on flanks.
Endangered Status The Northern Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), the subspecies of the Aplomado Falcon that occurs in the United States, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Texas. These handsome birds of prey once ranged over the Southwest, but were all but wiped out in the U.S. by the 1940s as their arid scrub and grassland habitat was destroyed. Efforts are being made to help this species to recovery. Populations are being monitored in Mexico, and captive-bred birds have been released in Texas. In 1995 the first Aplomado Falcon pair in 43 years successfully raised a chick in Texas.
Habitat Open arid country, grasslands, deserts, and savannahs.
Nesting 3-4 white or pinkish eggs, spotted with brown, in a deserted nest of a raven or other large bird.
Range Formerly ranged from southeastern Arizona to southern Texas southward to Argentina.
Voice A rapid kak-kak-kak-kak.
Discussion Usually found perched on a tall cactus or telephone pole. When it flies off in alarm, or in pursuit of prey, it often dips down and courses low over the ground. Most of its diet consists of small birds, but it also takes reptiles and large insects. Most active at dawn and dusk.
