National conservation area helps prairie falcon

A national conservation area in Idaho is helping prairie falcons thrive despite widespread declines in North American grassland bird populations for about 50 years. The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwestern Idaho has seen increased abundance of the bird species and steady nesting success over 45 years. In a study published in the Journal of Raptor Research, researchers compared prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) surveys in the 1970s and 1990s with their own surveys in the conservation area. Their positive findings are not only positive news for the bird but for the entire ecosystem, as the falcons are “bioindicators,” meaning their presence suggests a healthy ecosystem. Lead author of the study, Steve Alsup, said he “hopes that outdoor enthusiasts who recreate in the NCA will be excited to hear that at least one of the iconic raptor species the area was established to protect is doing well.”

Read the study in the Journal of Raptor Research.