Review of Falcons of North America

Falcons of North America by Kate Davis is a fact-loaded complete study of the six species of falcons that are found in North America. The detailed, yet readable text is interspersed with over 200 of the most amazing falcon photographs, most by Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop, two superb photographers.

Completely covered in the text are topics such as morphology, behavior, nesting, feeding, movements, and falconry. Some of the historical relations between falcon and humans are discussed as well, a relationship that dates back to prehistoric times.

Also covered in great detail are conservation and the threats that face falcons today. Wind farms have posed problematic to falcons (and other raptors), showing how important it is to research “green” technology to ensure the unintended consequences are not greater than the intended good. Pesticides, inexplicably are still being overused, and Falcons of North America illustrates the harm these farming aids cause to raptor populations.

American Kestrel with a tasty meal (well, we don’t know how tasty)

Completing Falcons of North America is a complete guide to identifying and understanding the lives of each of the six falcons found here:

1. American Kestrel
2. Merlin
3. Aplomado Falcon
4. Prairie Falcon
5. Peregrine Falcon
6. Gyrfalcon

There is even two appendixes, one focusing on how to ethically observe falcon nests and a second one describing how to construct a kestrel nest box. These nest boxes are a great way to involve kids, including scout groups, into active bird conservation involvement.

Falcons are one of the most impressive bird families and also a vital piece to the ecological puzzle. Falcons of North America is an excellent resource for anyone even vaguely interested in these amazingly cool birds.

Rating: 10 of 10 feathers

Falcons of North America
Kate Davis
Mountain Press Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-0-87842-553-2
Pages: 240
$22.00