Lanner Falcon

Falco biarmicus

Least Concern
Swift and powerful, this desert hunter dominates the skies from Africa to Asia with its distinctive moustache-like markings.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Lanner Falcon is a medium-sized raptor with a sleek, streamlined body. It features a brown-grey back, pale underparts with dark spotting, and a distinctive 'moustache' marking on its face. The wings are long and pointed, ideal for high-speed flight.

Females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, with darker overall plumage. Juveniles have a more streaked appearance, with brownish upperparts and heavily marked underparts. The distinctive facial pattern develops as they mature.

Size

Length

43cm to 50cm

Wingspan

95cm to 105cm

Weight

500g to 900g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Grey Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Lanner Falcon can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Lanner Falcon can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Lanner Falcon can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Lanner Falcon is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Lanner Falcons inhabit a wide range of open and semi-open environments, including savannas, steppes, and mountainous regions. They are found across Africa, parts of southern Europe, and the Middle East, adapting to diverse landscapes from sea level to high altitudes.

In Europe, they are most commonly seen in Italy and Greece. There are occasional sightings in the UK, typically involving escaped falconry birds rather than wild populations.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lanner Falcon. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Albania Algeria Angola Armenia Azerbaijan Benin Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte D'Ivoire Croatia Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gambia Georgia Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Iran Israel Italy Jordan Kenya Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Macedonia Malawi Mali Mauritania Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Palestine Qatar Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Turkey Uganda Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Oman
Species that pass through the area during migration
Syria
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Congo Cyprus Czech Republic France Gabon Gibraltar Iraq Kuwait Malta Portugal Romania Slovakia Spain United Arab Emirates

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Lanner Falcon exhibits exceptional agility, capable of swift, precise movements in flight. Their ability to perform spectacular aerial displays during courtship and execute high-speed hunting manoeuvres, including stooping from great heights, demonstrates remarkable aerial prowess.

Strength 80

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As medium-sized raptors, Lanner Falcons possess considerable strength relative to their size. Their ability to capture prey in flight, including medium-sized birds like pigeons, indicates robust physical power. However, they are not as large or powerful as some other raptor species.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Lanner Falcons show high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 2,500 metres elevation. Their ability to hunt cooperatively and utilise various hunting techniques demonstrates behavioural flexibility. They also adapt well to different prey types, including birds, bats, and insects.

Aggressiveness 75

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overly aggressive towards humans, Lanner Falcons display considerable aggression in hunting and territorial behaviour. Their sharp, repetitive calls during breeding season and their bold hunting tactics, including cooperative hunting, suggest a moderately aggressive nature for a bird of prey.

Endurance 85

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Lanner Falcon's endurance is impressive, as evidenced by their ability to engage in long periods of soaring and high-speed pursuit flights. Their partial migratory behaviour and capacity to hunt over wide areas also indicate strong endurance. However, they may not match the extreme long-distance capabilities of some other migratory raptors.

Diet

Lanner Falcons primarily hunt birds, ranging from small passerines to medium-sized species like pigeons and waterfowl. They also prey on bats, rodents, and large insects.

These falcons often hunt in pairs, with one bird flushing prey while the other makes the capture, demonstrating their adaptability and cooperative hunting skills.

Behaviour

Lanner Falcons are known for their agile and swift flight, often performing spectacular aerial displays during courtship. They hunt with impressive speed and agility, pursuing prey in level flight or stooping from great heights.

These falcons are generally solitary but may form loose pairs or small family groups outside the breeding season.

Vocalisation

Lanner Falcons have a range of vocalisations, with the most common being a sharp, repetitive 'kak-kak-kak' or 'kek-kek-kek'.

During courtship and territorial displays, they may produce a softer, more musical 'wichew' call. Their vocalisations are generally less frequent and less varied than other falcon species.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding pairs of Lanner Falcons form strong, often lifelong bonds. The breeding season varies by region but typically occurs between February and June. These falcons do not build their own nests, instead utilising cliff ledges, old nests of other large birds, or occasionally man-made structures.

Females usually lay 3-4 eggs, which are creamy-white with reddish-brown spots. The eggs are incubated primarily by the female for about 32-35 days while the male provides food.

Chicks fledge after 40-45 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks, gradually developing their hunting skills before becoming fully independent.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Lanner Falcon populations face localised threats. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and illegal falconry trade impact some populations.

Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and reducing human-wildlife conflicts, particularly in areas where the species is declining.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

67,000 - 670,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Lanner Falcons soaring over open landscapes or perched on high vantage points.
  • Listen for their sharp, repeated 'kak-kak-kak' calls, especially during breeding season.
  • Observe their distinctive hunting behaviour, which often involves fast, low flights over open ground.
  • In areas where they overlap with Peregrine Falcons, note the Lanner's slightly larger size and more rufous crown.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Lanner

Family:

Falconidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Predators

Adult Lanner Falcons have few natural predators due to their size and flying ability. However, eggs and chicks may fall prey to large birds of prey, corvids, and climbing mammals.

Did You Know?

  1. Lanner Falcons can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h (112 mph) when diving for prey.
  2. They have been used in falconry for centuries, prized for their versatility in hunting various game birds.
  3. Unlike many raptors, Lanner Falcons sometimes hunt cooperatively in pairs, increasing their success rate.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Falco biarmicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22696487A200013311.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2001: Ferguson-Lees and Christie

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