Saker Falcon

Falco cherrug

Wingspan

110–125cm

Body length

45–55cm

Weight

700–900g

Profile

Life expectancy
Clutch size: 3–5 eggs
Global status
Activity
Migration
Falconry

Identification

A large, powerful falcon with a long tail and less pointed wings than the Peregrine Falcon. The head often looks pale, the moustachial stripe weaker. Dark underwing coverts can stand out clearly against the paler flight feathers.

Colours

Plumage

Eyes

Legs & feet

Adult

Brown upperparts and pale, dark-marked underparts. Females are larger but largely the same in plumage.

Behaviour

Open country offers space for fast pursuits close to the ground. For identification it is worth comparing it with Lanner and Peregrine Falcons: body proportions and the distribution of pale and dark wing areas are more reliable than a single plumage colour.

Breeding & rearing

Saker Falcons do not build their own stick nests. They use existing nests of other birds as well as suitable cliff sites and nesting aids. In landscapes with few trees, safe artificial nest sites can therefore play an important role.

Diet

Prey examples

Ground squirrels

Voles

Pigeons

Songbirds

The Saker Falcon hunts mainly small mammals and birds. Their share varies greatly between regions and with the local prey supply.

Hunting

Search flight Pursuit

In low, fast flight it scans open areas for small mammals and birds. It seizes prey on the ground or pursues flushed birds in the air.

Distribution

Range

Europe & Asia; also winters in Africa

Status in Germany

Rare visitor

Habitat

Steppes, short-grazed pastures and open farmland. Uses cliffs and abandoned nests in trees or on pylons.

Vast dry grassland with low hills — Steppes

Open meadows, fields and varied hedgerow landscape — Meadows & fields