11" x 14" print - Falcons in the Prairie

Although California Ground Squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) are often considered pests, they play an important role in the ecosystem. They disperse the seeds of native plants such as lupines (here - Lupinus nanus) and the acorns of Blue Oaks (Quercus douglasii). They also consume invasive plants like Erodium cicutarium. The ground squirrel is a major source of food for many predators, including Prairie Falcons (Falco mexicanus), a species of special concern in California. One of the threats to Prairie Falcons is the presence of rodenticides in the food web.