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 5 years ago 20 sec 4.4 -
Dorsal view of a perched bird. Locality Hula Valley, Israel (ssp cherrug)
Mark Andrews 22 November 2011 1 year ago 59 sec 4.3 -
A front view of a bird standing on a pole Locality Yushu, Qinghai, China (Northern) (ssp milvipes)
John Gregory 30 July 2002 5 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 6 years ago 38 sec 2.9 -
A bird on an electric pole Locality Tibetan Plateau, China (Northern) (ssp peregrinator)
David Fisher 30 June 2006 6 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 7 years ago 14 sec 2.6
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in flight
Locality Urim, Negev Desert, Israel (ssp cherrug)
Lior Kislev 18 November 2008 1 year ago 4.3 -
In Flight
Locality Lednice, South Moravian Region, Czech Republic (ssp cherrug)
John A Thompson 20 August 2011 1 year ago 4.3 -
A nest with 5 chicks.
Locality East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan (ssp cherrug)
Christophe Gouraud 3 June 2010 2 years ago 4.2 -
A young bird portrait
Locality La Selvotta Park, Formello, Lazio Region, Italy (ssp cherrug)
raniero massoli-novelli 21 April 2011 48 weeks ago 4.1 -
Portrait of an adult bird.
Locality Plzen Zoo, Plzen, Plzen Region, Czech Republic
Tomasz Doroń 23 October 2011 17 weeks ago 4 -
Adult female in winter.
Locality Altai Republic, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp milvipes)
Sergey Pisarevsky 19 November 2012 25 weeks ago 4
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Birds giving calls Locality Greifvogelpark, Buchs, St. Gallen Canton, Switzerland
Michael C 3 January 2010 3 years ago 4.3
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