What Eats Falcons?

The falcon is a bird of prey that has very few predators as it sits close to the top of the food chain. Humans, though they do not usually eat falcons, pose the greatest threat to the falcon for other reasons. Some birds and small animals prey on the eggs and young of the falcon.

  1. Falcon

    • There are a number of types of falcon found throughout the world, including the Prairie Falcon and Peregrine Falcon found throughout the U.S. and other areas of Central, South and North America. The falcon family share common traits, such as their long pointed wings and slender tails. The world's fastest animal, the Peregrine Falcon is a slate gray color. The falcon family is not abundant throughout the world because of the large hunting area required for each breeding pair of falcons and the remote cliff top nesting ground of the falcon. The falcon preys on other birds by chasing them through the air and capturing them on the ground, the bird also feeds on small mammals including mice, skunks and small insects.

    Owl

    • One of the major predators of the falcon family is the Great Horned Owl, which is found throughout the United States. The owl tends to feed on the young chicks of the falcon family and steals eggs for food. The Great Horned Owl can be identified by the large tufts of feathers commonly found on the head of the owl in the shape of horns. Alongside falcons, the bird also feeds on other birds and small animals, which it rips into small chunks for easier feeding. Following feeding, the Great Horned Owl regurgitates indigestible parts of its food, such as bones and feathers, according to New Hampshire Public Television.

    Animals

    • The chicks and eggs of the falcon are also eaten by a variety of small animals found surviving in similar habitats as the falcon. The Prairie Falcon, commonly found in the Western U.S. often loses young chicks and eggs to coyotes, dogs, badgers, bobcats, eagles and owls. The Peregrine Falcon is often preyed upon by raccoons and other small animals when in the chick and egg phases of life.

    Humans

    • Humans are the greatest single threat to the survival of the falcon population throughout the world, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The threat posed by humans to falcons is centered on the destruction of the bird's habitat and poisoning through pesticides and insecticides. Humans also hunt falcons and steal the eggs for collections. Young falcons are also taken by humans for training in the ancient art of falconry.