FALCONS OF CENTRAL OREGON

 Falcons are a special kind of bird of prey. They have pointed wings and a structure that allows them to dive at very fast speeds. One key aspect of falcons that makes them different from other birds of prey is that often hunt other birds and they kill their prey by “punching” it, or striking it with closed talons (like fists) at very high speeds. There are five kinds of falcons in the Central Oregon region. If you are interested in spotting one of these birds in the wild, it is important to know what they look like and what markings and features distinguish them from other birds. The following is a table that describes the physical characteristics of the five different kinds of falcons that can be found in Central Oregon. For more information on these falcons, including their range, habitat, and preferred prey, click here.

American Kestrel The American Kestrel is a very small falcon, one of the smallest of the common falcons. At maturity, they will generally weigh only four ounces and measure nine to twelve inches in length. Like all falcons, they have distinct falcon facial markings including the 'mustache' and 'sideburns'. On the American Kestrel these markings are black or dark brown. The Kestrel is easily distinguished by the presence of double black stripes on a white face. Their backs and tails are decorated with rust plumage. They are the only falcons to have rust colored backs. The tail is relatively long with a much narrower tip and is marked by terminal black barring. They have dark eyes with a dark vertical line running through them, unfeathered legs, white chin and cheek patches, and a notched beak. Their heads have blue plumage on the tops with a rust colored cap. Male and female American Kestrels can be easily distinguished by their different markings. The male Kestrel has grayish blue wings, while the females are rust colored. The rusty head cap is generally brighter in males than in females. The male also has very distinct color markings, which are uncommon among raptors. The male has a buff colored chest with small black spots on the side. Both American Kestrels have long slender wings, with underside plumage light brown with darker brown streaks. Females are generally larger than males.
Gyrfalcon Gyrfalcons reach about 22 inches in length at maturity. Their wingspan may reach over 60 inches and these birds can weigh more than four and a half pounds. Gyrfalcons have different colorations depending on their home ranges. In more northern areas, these birds are almost entirely white. In more southern areas, they begin to have darker feathering. Some have gray plumage and others are black. The Gyrfalcon has the typical falcon's pointed wings, dark eyes and notched beak.
Merlin Because of its coloration, the Merlin Falcon has been nicknamed the Little Blue Corporal. However, only the male Merlin Falcon has blue coloration on his back, and this may even be grayish. The female is mostly brown, as are young Merlin Falcons. These birds are small, measuring 25 to 30 centimeters with a wingspan of 50 to 65 centimeters. The wings are pointed and compact. As with all raptors, the female is larger than the male. The undersides of the Merlin Falcons are white, streaked with brown, and tails and wings are banded white and black. There are no facial markings.
Peregrine Falcon The Peregrine is a medium to large falcon. Peregrines, like most Falcons, have dark markings like sideburns and moustaches and dark heads. Adult Peregrine Falcons have grey bodies that get paler as you move from neck to legs. The breast can be a white or off-white color that has dark stripes as you move further onto their undercarriage. The tail is also banded. Younger birds look like adults except they tend to be more brown than grey and their markings are darker and more distinct. The young also have a bluish tinge to the skin around their eyes. Peregrines are a medium or large sized raptor, meaning they are similar in size to crows. They are sleek and slim with pointed wings and small heads. Females are distinctly larger than males are more brownish, like the young.
Prairie Falcon Prairie Falcons are similar in size and markings to Peregrine Falcons, but Prairie Falcons are lighter brown in color, and their breasts are more spotted than barred. Prairie Falcons also have white behind their eyes. In flight, they can be distinguished from the Peregrine Falcon by their more rounded wingtips and dark axillaries and coverts, which make for distinctive field marks from below.

Michael Zalunardo Last updated: November 08, 2005