Falcons

Birds of North America

Acciptridae

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Falcons

An injured Peregrine Falcon at the Salmomier Nature Park, in Holyrood, Newfoundland, Canada

There are at least eight types of falcons, that live or have visited the continent of North America. The Peregrine Falcon and the Prairie Falcon are native birds and have the widest ranges. The Gyrfalcon lives in the northern regions of Canada and Alaska, preferring the colder climate conditions. The Aplomado Falcon lives in the Southern States, where it is being reintroduced and into Mexico. The Collared-forest Falcon lives in South America, whose range extends into Mexico and is showing up as a vagrant in the deep South. Another vagrant, is the Red-footed Falcon, whose native countries are Europe and Asia. The Merlin and the American Kestrel are also members of the falcon family, who are also the smallest members.

The falcons are the swiftest birds on the continent with records stating aerial dives at 200 mph and some as high as 300 mph. They were once used for sport by falconers to hunt other game birds and animals.

Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of the Falcons of North America

Aplomado Falcon