I would like to thank the Global Raptor Information Network, BirdLife International and the Internet Bird Collection for providing the information on this species and Sergey Yeliseev, Julia Sumangil, Alastair Rae for letting me use their amazing photographs.
The Saker Falcon is among the top of the list of raptors for falconers around the world. Due to its large size and versatility in the hunt. This raptor can take small to medium seized mammals with out a problem and provides an absolutely spectacular show when it comes to hunting birds in flight, although it might be argued that it doesn't put up the most spectacular show when compared to other raptors. It is also one of the favorite raptors to crate hybrids with. But it is also because of this interest that the Saker Falcon is on the Endangered list, for its unsustainable capture for the falconry market and other threats like habitat degradation and the impact of agrochemicals.
Although the recent survey's on the population status might not be 100% accurate, further studies need to be carried out as quickly as possible to get a more realistic population status. Currently their population is estimated to be around 12,800 to 30,800 mature individuals (Birdlife International 2012).
The Saker Falcon is among the top of the list of raptors for falconers around the world. Due to its large size and versatility in the hunt. This raptor can take small to medium seized mammals with out a problem and provides an absolutely spectacular show when it comes to hunting birds in flight, although it might be argued that it doesn't put up the most spectacular show when compared to other raptors. It is also one of the favorite raptors to crate hybrids with. But it is also because of this interest that the Saker Falcon is on the Endangered list, for its unsustainable capture for the falconry market and other threats like habitat degradation and the impact of agrochemicals.
Although the recent survey's on the population status might not be 100% accurate, further studies need to be carried out as quickly as possible to get a more realistic population status. Currently their population is estimated to be around 12,800 to 30,800 mature individuals (Birdlife International 2012).
Description:
The Saker Falcon is considered to be a large falcon and is also included in the Subgenus Hierofalcon which includes four closely related species; Saker Falcon, GyrFalcon, Lanner Falcon and the Lagger Falcon. Some authors even dispute that the GyrFalcon is just a color morph of the Saker Falcon and that the Altai Falcon (Falcon cherrug altaicus) is a natural hybrid between the Saker and the Gryfalcon. It can grow to be 47-55 cm in length and have a wingspan of 105-130 cm. Its plumage is similar to that of the Lanner Falcon but its wings make it look like a Gyrfalcon in flight. The males and females are similar but he female tends to have plumage that resemble the juveniles but they tend to be a duller brown. The juveniles of the Lanner and Saker Falcons are almost identical but the Saker Falcon has a buff top on its head with dark streaks.
Author: Sergey Yeliseev
Author : Julia Sumangil
Pallas's Pika (Ochotona pallasi)
Diet:
The Saker Falcon has a very large range in which it occurs and so their diets can very depending on the prey available in their area. Common prey items consist of the following:
Susliks (Spermophilus spp.)
Hamsters
Pigeons
Ground Squirrels
Starlings
Crows (Corvus spp.)
Voles (Microtus spp.)
Eurasian Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Pikas (Ochotona spp.)
Chukar (Alectoris chukar)
Pallas's Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus)
Steppe Hare (Lepus tolai)
Gerbils (Meriones spp.)
Mongolian Marmots (Marmota sibirica)
Chukar (Alectoris chukar)
Pallas's Pika (Ochotona pallasi)
Author: Alastair Rae
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