# Saker Falcon (*Falco cherrug*) The Saker Falcon is a majestic bird of prey known for its swift flight and keen eyesight. It has beautiful brown and white feathers and a sharp beak for catching small animals. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Steppe Falcon, Tartar Falcon ![Saker Falcon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424818/objects/6377.jpg) ## Appearance The Saker Falcon has a creamy white head with faint streaks and a broad, brown back. Its underside is pale with dark streaks, and it lacks the strong malar stripe seen on many other falcons, making its face appear lighter. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Falconiformes - **Family:** Falconidae - **Genus:** Falco ## Interesting facts - Saker Falcons often nest in old stick nests of other large birds, like eagles, instead of building their own. - Some Saker Falcons hunt cooperatively, with one flushing prey while the other ambushes it! - Their name 'Saker' comes from an old Arabic word, meaning 'falcon,' showing their historical importance. - These falcons can be trained for falconry, a traditional sport where they hunt alongside humans. ## Special abilities - **Horizontal Hunter:** Saker Falcons can fly incredibly fast horizontally, which helps them chase down quick prey across open plains. - **Eagle Eyesight:** Saker Falcons have exceptionally sharp vision that helps them spot tiny prey from very high in the sky. - **Powerful Talons:** Saker Falcons have strong, gripping talons that help them capture and hold onto medium-sized prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 47-55 cm - **Wingspan:** 105-129 cm - **Weight:** 0.7-1.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 200 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 30-32 days ## Diet & Feeding Saker Falcons are swift carnivores that mostly hunt rodents and medium-sized birds. - **Primary Foods:** ground squirrels, voles, gerbils, pigeons, larks, partridges - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Yellow ground squirrel (*Spermophilus fulvus*) — Main prey in many parts of its range. - **Hunts:** Rock Dove (*Columba livia*) — Common avian prey, especially near human settlements. - **Hunts:** [Common Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-vole) (*Microtus arvalis*) — Important part of their diet in grasslands. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — Preys on Saker nestlings and fledglings. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Steppe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/steppe): This habitat trait describes species found in steppes, which are dry, treeless grasslands characterized by extreme seasonal temperature variations and low precipitation. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Admire these falcons from a safe distance and avoid disturbing their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Saker Falcon? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Saker Falcon? 47-55 cm ### What is Saker Falcon's wingspan? 105-129 cm ### How much does Saker Falcon weigh? 0.7-1.3 kg ### How long does Saker Falcon live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Saker Falcon move? 200 km/h ### What does Saker Falcon eat? Saker Falcons are swift carnivores that mostly hunt rodents and medium-sized birds. ### Where is Saker Falcon usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Greifvogelpark Katharinenberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greifvogelpark-katharinenberg) — Bayern, DE · Zoo ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Saker Falcon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/saker-falcon)