Saker Falcon, Falco cherrug
Names
English: Saker FalconScientific: Falco cherrug
German: Sakerfalke, Würgfalke
Spanish: Halcón Sacre
French: Faucon sacre
Taxonomy and Subspecies
Size
Length: Males 47-55 cmWingspan: 110-126 cm
Weight: Males 700-900 g, Females 970-1,300 g.
Maximum Age
23 years in captivity. [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]Habitat
Lives in open habitat like steppes or in open areas in mountains. In some countries also in agricultural areas (for example in Austria, Hungary). Enough prey in form of medium-sized mammals (like susliks) or birds are important.Distribution
From eastern Europe (eastern Austria, Czeck Republik, Hungary, Turkey, etc) eastwards over the Asian steppes to Mongolia and China.Migration
Breeding and Reproduction
Like all falcons, Saker Falcons don't build nests. They use nests from other large birds like ravens, buzzards or eagles. Those nests are either in trees or cliffs. Recently, the Saker Falcon has used artificial nests very successfully. Those nests are normally place on trees or pylons. In Hungary, about 85% of the 183-200 known pairs in 2006 breed in artificial nests, approximately half of them on trees, the others on pylons [Bagyura et al. 2009]. Breeding normally starts with two years [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. Egg-laying in south-east Europa normally starts at the beginning of the second half of March. 4 eggs are the most common clutch size, but sometimes 3 or 5 eggs are laid. Most of the time, the female is breeding and the male hunts food. Incubation time is about 36-38 days and the young falcons need about 48-50 days to fledge [Mebs & Schmidt 2006].Food and hunting
Mostly hunts medium sized mammals and birds. Important mammals are hamsters and susliks. Among birds, pigeons are often the most important prey [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. Sometimes other prey like reptiles, amphibians and even insects is taken.Kills mammals and birds on the ground or birds when taking off.
Population
European population (incl. Turkey) only between 354 and 527 pairs [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. The largest population lives in Hungary with about 183-200 pairs in 2006 [Bagyura et al. 2009]. The population there has increased during the last years due to conservation efforts. Other countries with important populations are Austria (20-25), Slovakia (30-40), Serbia (40-60), Ukraine (45-80), Turkey (50-70) and the European part of Russia (30-60) [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. The population in the Czech RepublicOther countries with small populations are Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Rumania. Has also bred in Germany in recent years. A future expansion to the north and west seems possible given the recent increase in eastern Europe. In Hungary the population in hills and mountains is gone because after forestation the population of prey like theh European Suslik disappeared. But the Saker recolonized the lowlands in Hungary after persecution stopped at the beginning of the 1990s. The populations has increased since then due to conservation programs. The population for Hungary in 2006 was estimated at 183-200 pairs [Bagyura et al. 2009].
Threats
One of the most endangered falcons of the world. Main threat is the (at least in Europe illegal) collecting of eggs and young during the breeding season. Those birds are often used in falconry or sold to rich people in Arabian countries.Electrocution is also a problem and causes many deaths [Mebs & Schmidt 2006].
Habitat destruction which leads to a decline of available prey species (hamsters, susliks, birds) and the availability of suitable nests can also be a problem.
Conservation
Illegal collection of eggs and birds must be stopped. Nests can be guarded (when enough volunteers are available). Trade around the world should be illegal. Collectors of eggs and young birds should be punished.Habitat must be protected. Measures to increase prey species can be helpful and would also help other birds like the Eastern Imperial Eagle.
Artifical nests can have a very positive effect on reproduction. They increase the availability of nests and are often more stable than natural nests built by other birds like crows or raptors. If artifical nests are put on large power pylons, guarding of the nest site may not be necessary as those nests are almost inaccessible [Mebs & Schmidt 2006].
Status IUCN/BirdLife
Endangered (EN)Status Global Raptor Information Network
EndangeredInterviews about the Saker Falcon
Interview with Dimitar Ragyov about the reintroduction of Saker Falcons into Bulgaria Interview with Gunther Willinger about the work done by EuroNatur to protect the Saker Falcon and the Eastern Imperial Eagle in Bulgaria Interview with Mátyás Prommer about the conservation of the Saker Falcon in Hungary and neighbouring countriesReferences
[Bagyura et al. 2009]. János Bagyura, Tamás Szitta, László Haraszthy, József Fidlóczky and Mátyás Prommer: Results of
the Saker conservation programme in Hungary, 1980-2006. Published in [Sielicke & Mizera 2009 ].
[Mebs & Schmidt 2006] Mebs, Theodor & Schmidt, Daniel (2006). Die Greifvögel Europas, Nordafrikas und Vorderasiens. Kosmos Verlag.
[Sielicke & Mizera 2009 ] Sielicke, Janusz & Mizera, Tadeusz (eds.) (2009). Peregrine Falcon Populations -
Status and Perspectivees in the 21st century. Turul. (contains 4 papers in Saker Falcons)
Books
Forsman, Dick (1999). The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East A Handbook of Field Identification. Poyser
Mebs, Theodor & Schmidt, Daniel (2006). Die Greifvögel Europas, Nordafrikas und Vorderasiens. Kosmos Verlag.
Sielicke, Janusz & Mizera, Tadeusz (eds.) (2009). Peregrine Falcon Populations -
Status and Perspectivees in the 21st century. Turul. (contains 4 papers in Saker Falcons)