Saker Falcon - Falco Cherrug

The Saker falcon is the second largest falcon in the world. Found mainly in the Middle East and desert type terrain, this species is widely flown for falconry purposes by Arabs.

A very powerful flyer, the Saker catches both ground and aerial game such as Houbara bustard and desert hare.

The Arabs choose to fly females, as they are larger than males therefore they catch bigger quarry.

You can see two colour phases with the Saker falcon (as in the pictures).

One is darker - a sort of chocolate brown on it’s back, known as the dark phase and the other is lighter - a more sandy colour, known as the light phase.
 

Lanner Falcon - Falco Lanner

Lanner falcons originate from around Africa and the Mediterranean.

They are a lot smaller than the Saker in weight and height.

This species is not used much for hunting as, being small, they are inclined to catch small quarry. Out in the wild their diet consists of other birds up to the size of doves and sometimes pigeons. Like the Saker they also catch ground game such as lizards, small snakes and some times large insects.

Classed as a very lazy bird by the Arabs, I have found the Lanner to be a fantastic bird to fly and a good beginner’s falcon.

Females again are larger than their male counterparts. I have found Lanner falcons to be quiet an easy going bird unlike the very similar Lugger falcons who in my experience have foul tempers and can be aggressive.
 

Lugger Falcon - Falco Lugger

Kestrel - Falco Tinnunculus

This is the bird you see hovering along roadsides and motorways in search of mice and voles. People are sometimes confused about which family the kestrel comes under. Kestrels are falcons with their long tail and pointed wings.
 

Male and female Kestrels can easily be identified once they are adults, the male produces a slate grey head and tail but the female remains a less colourful and is more of a rufus brown.

These birds are wide spread throughout Britain, as they are very adaptable and will nest anywhere from trees to window ledges.

They locate their prey using their amazing eyesight. Kestrels can see in ultra violet which allows them to see the urine trails left by mice and voles, which they use to mark their territory. The kestrel can determine which of the trails is most used and they will watch that trail until a mouse or vole passes before they stoop down to catch it.

Click here for Hybrid Falcons