Prairie Falcon with a Northern Shoveler as prey (Graphic)

Earlier this morning I spotted a Prairie Falcon perched on a rock while on the Antelope Island causeway.

After pointing out the falcon, and before the vehicle stopped, the falcon took off over the water and attacked a Northern Shoveler while I watched.

Adult Prairie Falcon flying over the Great Salt Lake

The duck was floundering in the water and the Prairie Falcon flew over and past it when I took this image.

Adult Prairie Falcon fly by

The Prairie Falcon made several passes up and down the shoreline, landing, then taking off again. The wind-blown waves pushed the dying Northern Shoveler closer and closer to the shore.

Prairie Falcon adult and prey

When the duck reached the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake the falcon showed a bit of hesitation about going over to it. After a bit, the bird flew over to the shoveler which was still part way in the hypersaline water.

Prairie Falcon tearing into the neck of the Northern Shoveler

The Prairie Falcon tore into the neck of the Northern Shoveler at this point while the waves rocked the duck and the falcon gently back and forth on the shoreline.

Prairie Falcon adult with dead Northern Shoveler

Then the falcon gripped the duck with its talons. I wasn’t sure if it was going to fly away with its prey or just bring it on to the shore.

Prairie Falcon with grip on dead Northern Shoveler

The Prairie Falcon seemed to struggle a bit with the weight of the Shoveler which can weigh up to 1.3 pounds (375 grams).

Prairie Falcon with prey on the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake

The falcon used its wings and its free foot to move the duck.

Prairie Falcon adult lifting prey over rocks

It seemed determined to move it away from the water.

Prairie Falcon struggling to lift prey over rocks on shoreline

I really liked this pose and the great eye contact the Prairie Falcon was giving me.  The falcon struggled to lift the heavy shoveler over the rocks.

Prairie Falcon lifting Northern Shoveler over rocks on the shoreline

The falcon continued to drag the duck to drier ground.

Watchful Prairie Falcon with a Northern Shoveler on the shore

It finally made it! The small waves were not reaching this section of the shoreline. I like how this shows the yellow feet, the dark tips of the talons and the yellow cere of this adult Prairie Falcon.

Prairie Falcon feasting on a Northern Shoveler

The falcon wasted no time and tore into the breast of the Northern Shoveler and feathers were flying as it did. I wish that the bird had been closer but if it had been it might not have stuck around to eat its prey in front of me. The light began to fade as another cloud came in from the west, it was snowing again to the south and west.

Prairie Falcon with a pile of feathers from the Northern Shoveler

The falcon really chowed down on the Shoveler as I watched and photographed. When I left because the light was leaving the handsome falcon was still there and eating the duck.

I have to tell you it feels totally awesome that because of my keen eyesight I was able to watch a Prairie Falcon attack, bring in, and eat the prey it caught naturally. These birds are simply amazing.

All of these images were taken with my Nikon D300 and Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC lens resting on my noodle. The Prairie Falcon I found wasn’t baited, it supplied its own food.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Prairie Falcon photos plus facts and information about this species.

(I took a boat load of images of this falcon, these were just a few that I liked)