This slim long-tailed falcon is uniquely patterned. It has slate gray upperparts, a white face and breast, with a dark crown, dark eye line and moustacial stripe, and a white stripe running behind the eye and around the nape. A dark belly band or vest separates the white breast from the russet belly, vent, and legs. The very long tail shows a series of narrow black and white bars. In flight, the black axillaries suggest a Prairie Falcon. Juvenile: Young birds similar to adults, but with a buffy face, streaked breast, and buffy underparts.

Length: 38 (cm) Wingspan: 102 (cm)

Voice:

A long series of keeee keeee keeee keeee notes.

Habitat:

Desert grasslands with scattered shrubs and trees, coastal prairie.

Behavior:

Very agile, both on foot and in the air, chasing prey on the ground and flying among tree branches during pursuit.

Feeding:

Eats mostly insects and birds, occasionally lizards, bats, and rodents.