Lanner falcon / Falco biarmicus / صقر وكري

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Status: Very rare

 

It is considered one of the rare resident breeding birds and very rare during winter migration, but some birds spread after the breeding season. It inhabits desert areas, valleys, and arid regions, preferring high dams.

This medium-sized raptor is characterized by a head color close to henna and a dark speckled back.

Diet: It feeds on small birds, especially swifts, as well as pigeons, rodents, and reptiles. It is a fast hunter, well-equipped with long, strong talons used to kill prey. If it cannot kill the prey immediately, it bites its neck and severs the vertebrae to kill it instantly.

These birds live in pairs and often hunt in groups. Saker falcons are fast and agile flyers, typically hunting by horizontal pursuit, primarily capturing bird prey in flight, such as swifts. They are also known to steal food from other raptors. Like all raptors, these powerful hunters have very sharp vision.

In Palestine, falcons face threats from human activities, such as nest destruction and theft for illegal trade.

 

The photo is taken from the Jerusalem  wilderness, Dead Sea mountains.