Saker falcon

A Saker falcon is a large, powerful bird of prey that belongs to the Falconidae family.

It is native to the vast grasslands, steppes, and deserts of Eurasia, where it hunts small mammals and birds.

It has a broad wingspan, sharp talons, and a hooked beak.

Its plumage varies from dark brown to pale sandy, with some individuals being almost pure white.

It is named after the Arabic word for "falcon", and has a long history of being used in falconry.

It is also the national bird of several countries, including Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia.

The Saker falcon is endangered due to habitat loss, persecution, and illegal trapping.

The saker falcon is a large and powerful bird of prey that lives in the Palearctic region, which covers most of Europe and Asia.
The saker falcon has a wide distribution range, breeding in more than 20 countries from central Europe to western China and Mongolia.
Some of the countries where the saker falcon breeds are Austria, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iraq, and China.

The saker falcon is mainly migratory, except in the southernmost parts of its range.
It winters in warmer regions such as Ethiopia, the Arabian peninsula, northern Pakistan, and western China.
The saker falcon prefers open grasslands with some trees or cliffs, where it can hunt for its prey, which includes rodents, birds, and reptiles.

The saker falcon is an endangered species, with a global population estimated at 6,100 to 14,900 pairs.
The main threats to the saker falcon are habitat loss, electrocution by power lines, illegal trapping for falconry, and poisoning by pesticides.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the saker falcon and its habitat, such as installing artificial nests, monitoring breeding sites, raising awareness, and enforcing laws.

The saker falcon is a symbol of national pride and heritage for many countries, such as Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia.
It is also a highly valued bird for falconry, especially in the Arabic peninsula, where it has been used for hunting since ancient times.
The saker falcon is a remarkable and majestic animal that deserves our respect and admiration.

Some distinctive features of the Saker falcon are its dark "trousers" when perched, which contrast with its lighter underparts; its tail that extends beyond the wingtips at rest, giving it a "short-winged" appearance; and its thin "teardrop" eyeline in adults, or thicker one in juveniles.

The Saker falcon is native to the vast grasslands, steppes, and deserts of Eurasia.

Its name, "Saker," is derived from the Arabic term "sāqr," meaning "falcon," a testament to its historical prominence in the art of falconry.

The Saker falcon is the national bird of Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia.