Falco cherrug
Endangered
The Saker Falcon is a powerful bird of prey, known for its fierce hunting prowess and striking plumage. Found across the vast landscapes of Eurasia, this raptor is a master of open spaces, where it soars high above the ground in search of a variety of prey. Even though it's admired for its strength and agility, the Saker Falcon is facing challenges in the wild and is a symbol of conservation efforts.
Males and females have similar plumage
Brown
Grey
White, Black
White, Black
Dark Brown
Grey
Short
Grey
Grey
Yellow
Yellow
White underparts with brown streaks, dark brown upperparts. Females are similar to male but slightly larger.
Less pronounced than adults
Long and grey
Long and grey
45cm to 57cm
Length
97cm to 126cm
Wingspan
730g to 1.3kg
Weight
Click on an image below to see the full-size version
Saker Falcon in-flight
Saker Falcon feeding on prey
Portrait of a Saker Falcon
Series of high-pitched notes
Loud, repeated 'klee-klee-klee' or 'kek-kek-kek'
Sharp, loud 'klee-klee-klee' or 'kek-kek-kek'
Active during the day, hunting in the morning and evening
Solitary outside of breeding season
Defends nesting and hunting territories
Northern populations migrate south in winter
Occasionally interacts with other bird species
Small Mammals, Birds, Rodents
Hunts from a perch or in flight, often taking prey in the air
Dawn and dusk
Stooping and pursuit
Diet varies with location and prey availability
None
Cliff ledges, tree nests, occasionally on the ground
No nest, eggs laid in existing nest or on bare ground
Spring, mainly April to May
One
Buff to reddish-brown with dark markings
Approximately 5cm x 4cm
2-6 eggs, usually three or five
Around 30 days
Approximately 45-50 days
Female mainly incubates with male bringing her food, then both will feed nestlings
Eurasia, from Eastern Europe to Western China
Open landscapes, steppe, semi-desert, farmland
Up to 4700m in Himalayas
Northern populations migrate south in winter
Grassland, Desert
Temperate, Subtropical
Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.
Distribution notes
Extinct in Turkmenistan
Resident or Present
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant
10
25
15 year(s)
1-2 year(s)
2-3 year(s)
Monogamous, often returning to same nesting site each year
Changes in plumage brightness and beak coloration
Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Habitat loss, persecution, collision with power lines
Protected in many countries, captive breeding programs, reintroduction efforts
Population decreasing due to threats
Other names:
Sacre, Tural
Family:
FalconidaePopulation size:
12200-29800
Population trend:
Decreasing
Conservation status:
Endangered
IUCN Red List
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