Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae)
Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) - HBW 2, p. 273
French: Faucon sacre
German: Würgfalke
Spanish: Halcón Sacre
Other common names: Altai Falcon ( altaicus)
Taxonomy: Falco cherrug J. E. Gray, 1834, India.
Closely related to F. rusticolus, with which forms superspecies, perhaps also including F. biarmicus, F. jugger and possibly even F. mexicanus. Internal taxonomy very complicated and uncertain, especially with reference to populations of C Asia. Status of form altaicus controversial (see page 218): has been considered separate species, or race of F. rusticolus or of present species; now usually reckoned to be morph of present species; nevertheless, breeds significantly earlier than other nearby populations of present species. Possible races coat.. View all taxonomy...
Closely related to F. rusticolus, with which forms superspecies, perhaps also including F. biarmicus, F. jugger and possibly even F. mexicanus. Internal taxonomy very complicated and uncertain, especially with reference to populations of C Asia. Status of form altaicus controversial (see page 218): has been considered separate species, or race of F. rusticolus or of present species; now usually reckoned to be morph of present species; nevertheless, breeds significantly earlier than other nearby populations of present species. Possible races coatsi (from Uzbekistan) and progressus (EC Asia) apparently rather distinctive; several other races may be valid, including perhaps cyanopus (C & E Europe), and unnamed population from deserts E of Caspian Sea. Two subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- cherrug J. E. Gray, 1834 - C Europe E through SW Russia, Ukraine and Iran to R Yenisey and foothills of Altai; winters from Europe and NE Africa E to NW India.
- milvipes Jerdon, 1871 - SE Siberia, N Mongolia and N China S to W & C China; winters from Iran E to Nepal and NW India, Tibet and C China.
- Endangered Enlarge map
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A dorsal view of an individual perched on a wire Locality Yushu, Qinghai, China (Northern) (ssp milvipes)
John Gregory 30 July 2002 4 years ago 20 sec 4.4 -
Dorsal view of a perched bird. Locality Hula Valley, Israel (ssp cherrug)
Mark Andrews 22 November 2011 10 weeks ago 59 sec 4.2 -
A front view of a bird standing on a pole Locality Yushu, Qinghai, China (Northern) (ssp milvipes)
John Gregory 30 July 2002 4 years ago 30 sec 3.4 -
A bird on an electric pole, feeding on a prey Locality Tibetan Plateau, China (Northern) (ssp peregrinator)
David Fisher 30 June 2006 5 years ago 38 sec 2.9 -
A bird on an electric pole Locality Tibetan Plateau, China (Northern) (ssp peregrinator)
David Fisher 30 June 2006 5 years ago 27 sec 2.8 -
A bird perched on a pole Locality Zoige (Ruoergai) County, Sichuan, China (Northern) (ssp milvipes)
Josep del Hoyo 17 May 2002 6 years ago 14 sec 2.6
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in flight
Locality Urim, Negev Desert, Israel
Lior Kislev 18 November 2008 8 weeks ago 4.2 -
In Flight
Locality Lednice, South Moravian Region, Czech Republic
John A Thompson 20 August 2011 23 weeks ago 4.2 -
An adult portrait
Locality Roma, Lazio Region, Italy
raniero massoli-novelli 1 November 2008 1 year ago 4 -
A nest with 5 chicks.
Locality East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan (ssp cherrug)
Christophe Gouraud 3 June 2010 1 year ago 4 -
A breeding bird flying.
Locality East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan (ssp cherrug)
Christophe Gouraud 3 June 2010 1 year ago 3.7 -
Chicks in a nest built in a Saxaul.
Locality East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan (ssp cherrug)
Christophe Gouraud 3 June 2010 1 year ago 3.7
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Birds giving calls Locality Greifvogelpark, Buchs, St. Gallen Canton, Switzerland
Michael C 3 January 2010 2 years ago 4
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