If you’ve noticed a falcon in your backyard, there are a few possible reasons why it may be there. Falcons are birds of prey that hunt small animals like mice, voles, birds, and insects. Here are some quick answers to questions you may have about falcons showing up in your yard:
Is it normal to see falcons in suburban areas?
It’s becoming more common to see falcons in suburban backyards as their populations recover from past declination. Falcons are adapting to live near human settlements where food sources like rodents and pigeons are plentiful.
What kinds of falcons might be in my yard?
The most likely falcon species you’ll encounter in a suburban backyard in North America include:
- American kestrel – the smallest North American falcon, known for hunting from perches and telephone lines.
- Red-tailed hawk – a versatile broad-winged buteo found in many open habitats.
- Peregrine falcon – the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds of over 200 mph in its hunting stoop.
- Merlin – a small forest and grassland falcon that sometimes enters suburbs chasing songbirds.
Why is the falcon hanging around my yard?
There are a few possible reasons a falcon may be frequenting your yard:
- Hunting rodents – Small mammals like mice, voles and shrews are common prey for many falcon species.
- Hunting birds – Songbirds visiting backyard feeders attract hunting falcons.
- Tall trees – Falcons perch in tall trees to survey territory and look for prey.
- Open space – Backyards with open lawn areas provide good hunting ground.
- Nesting – Falcons sometimes nest on tall buildings or communication towers.
What can I do if a falcon is hunting birds at my feeder?
Here are some tips if a falcon is negatively impacting backyard birds at your feeders:
- Stop feeding birds for a while – Removing the feeders can disperse congregations of birds.
- Provide shelter – Give songbirds escape routes and cover with dense bushes and vegetation.
- Use feeders close to cover – Locate feeders within a few feet of bushes and trees.
- Deter predation – Scare or distract inbound falcons with loud noises.
- Limit perching spots – Cut down isolated trees and remove tall perches.
Is the falcon a protected species?
Most falcons in North America are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This federal law prohibits harming, harassing, or killing falcons as well as disturbing or destroying active nests. It’s illegal to trap, poison, or shoot a falcon without a permit.
When do falcon nestlings fledge?
Falcon nestlings will typically fledge (leave the nest) after 4-5 weeks in the nest. The fledging timeframe depends on the species:
- American kestrels fledge at about 30 days old.
- Merlin nestlings fledge at 28-30 days old.
- Peregrine falcons fledge at 35-42 days old.
- Red-tailed hawks fledge at about 45 days old.
Before fledging, the nestlings will spend time perching on the edge of the nest and flapping their wings to build flight strength.
What should I do if I find an injured falcon?
Here are recommendations if you find an injured falcon on your property:
- Keep your distance – An injured falcon may try to defend itself if approached.
- Call authorities – Contact wildlife officials or animal control to retrieve the bird.
- Don’t attempt capture – Safely contain the area but leave capture to professionals.
- Provide shelter – Carefully place a box over the bird if containment is needed.
- Monitor from afar – Watch for signs of distress until help arrives.
Getting professional assistance ensures the best outcome for an injured falcon’s recovery.
What attracts falcons to a backyard?
The main attractions bringing falcons into suburban backyards include:
- Prey abundance – Good availability of small birds, mammals, and insects.
- Nesting sites – Tall trees, utility poles, or ledges on buildings.
- Open hunting space – Room to hunt prey in open areas.
- Perches – High vantage points like power lines or roof peaks.
- Water sources – Backyard ponds or bird baths for drinking and bathing.
Providing cover for prey and limiting tall perches can help deter falcon activity.
How can I get a falcon out of my yard?
To encourage a falcon to leave your yard, here are some gentle deterrent techniques:
- Remove food sources – Clean up fallen fruit and bird seed to eliminate prey.
- Use scare devices – Motion-activated sprinklers or noises can startle falcons.
- Remove perches – Cut back tree branches and eliminate rooftop or fence perching spots.
- Cover enclosures – Use screen mesh to enclose patio and pool areas.
- Install deterrents – Use falcon silhouettes, foil strips, or pointy wire on ledges.
Avoid harming or harassing the falcon since that would violate wildlife protection laws.
What time of year are falcons most active?
Falcons are most active during their spring and fall migration seasons as they travel between breeding and wintering grounds. Other peak activity times include:
- Breeding season – February to July, depending on species.
- Fledging season – When young first leave the nest in summer.
- Winter – Increased hunting during cold months.
Falcons are less active at night when their prey is also less active. The early morning and early evening hours around sunrise and sunset are often prime falcon hunting times.
What do I do if a falcon builds a nest on my property?
If a falcon nest appears on your home or property, here are some recommendations:
- Leave it alone – Active nests cannot be disturbed without permits.
- Avoid noise and activity – Minimize disruption near the nest.
- Monitor from a distance – Watch for signs of distress.
- Wait for fledging – Let the nestlings mature and leave the nest.
- Remove after fledging – Disassemble the empty nest later in the season.
You can contact wildlife officials for guidance on managing falcon nests.
Are peregrine falcons endangered?
Peregrine falcons were endangered in the mid-20th century due to pesticide poisoning causing their eggshells to thin. After DDT was banned in 1972, captive breeding and release programs helped peregrine populations recover. Their status today is:
- United States – Removed from endangered list in 1999, stable population.
- Canada – Removed from endangered list in 2017, recovering population.
- Elsewhere – Populations vary from least concern to endangered based on region.
While still protected, peregrine falcons have made a successful comeback in North America thanks to conservation efforts.
What time of year do falcons lay eggs?
Falcons mate and lay eggs during the early breeding season, which varies slightly for different species:
- American kestrels – Lay eggs starting in late March through May.
- Merlins – Begin laying eggs in April through mid-May.
- Peregrine falcons – Lay eggs from March to early April.
- Red-tailed hawks – Typical egg laying is in March and April.
The female falcon lays between 2-5 eggs which then incubate for 28-35 days before hatching. Fledging occurs about a month later.
How long do falcons live?
In the wild, falcons typically live around 12-20 years on average. However, in protected environments, they can live significantly longer than 20 years. The longest living falcon on record was a peregrine falcon named Sheriff who lived to be 32 years old.
Here are estimated average lifespans for common North American falcon species:
- American kestrel – 12 years
- Merlin – 5-15 years
- Peregrine falcon – 15-20 years
- Red-tailed hawk – 14 years
Falcons kept in zoos, aquariums, or aviaries with veterinary care can survive decades past their lifespan in the wild.
Do falcons pose a risk to pets or children?
Healthy free-living falcons do not normally pose a risk to humans or pets. They may swoop in to startle or warn if feeling threatened, but attacks causing injury are extremely rare. Risks can increase if:
- A nest is disturbed.
- Pets or children approach too closely.
- Falcons become habituated to humans.
- Falcons are sick or injured.
- Small pets are left unattended.
Keeping a respectful distance is the best way to avoid conflicts. Educating children not to disturb nests or approach falcons helps reduce any minimal risks.
How often do falcons catch prey?
Hunting success rates depend on the skill and experience level of the individual falcon. In general, falcons may catch prey:
- 15-20% of the time at maturity.
- 30-40% of the time for accomplished older birds.
- 50% or higher for elite hunters.
Younger falcons have hunting success rates under 10%. Falcons attempt to hunt prey multiple times per day, often around dawn and dusk peak activity times. Their high speed helps compensate for lower individual success rates.
What is the top speed of a peregrine falcon dive?
Peregrine falcons are the fastest bird, and fastest animal, on Earth. In a hunting dive known as a stoop, they can reach speeds exceeding:
- 200 mph
- 240 mph
- 275 mph
The highest recorded speed of a peregrine in a stoop is 242 mph. The velocity achieved makes them lethal hunters of other birds on the wing.
How high can falcons fly?
Falcons are capable of flying at elevations up to 10,000 feet or higher. Some maximum altitude records include:
- Peregrine falcon – 21,000 feet
- American kestrel – 14,000 feet
- Merlin – 10,500 feet
Falcons that migrate long distances use their ability to fly very high to take advantage of favorable winds over mountain ranges and other topography.
How far can falcons migrate?
Falcons can migrate long distances between breeding and wintering grounds. Some example migration ranges include:
- Peregrine falcon – Over 15,500 miles
- American kestrel – Up to 6,800 miles
- Merlin – Up to 4,000 miles
- Red-tailed hawk – Up to 3,000 miles
Individual falcons may return to nest in the exact same sites year after year despite traveling thousands of miles in between.
What do falcons symbolize?
Falcons are powerful symbols across cultures often representing:
- Speed, agility and precision
- Vision, clarity and focus
- Power, spirit and fearlessness
- Rising above adversity
- Victory, success and achievement
Military and sports teams often use falcon images or names to invoke attributes like speed, fearlessness, precision and power.
Conclusion
Spotting a falcon in your backyard can be an exciting opportunity to observe nature up close. Understanding why it is there and how to safely coexist can ensure both backyard birds and raptors thrive. With their speed, aerial abilities and razor sharp talons, falcons never cease to impress and inspire awe in those lucky enough to see them hunt and soar.