Bird Guide

Lanner Falcon vs Red-footed Falcon

Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus)

Lanner Falcon

Falco biarmicus

Large606 gShrubland

It is a large falcon, at 43–50 cm (17–20 in) length with a wingspan of 95–105 cm (37–41 in). Eurasian lanner falcons (Falco biarmicus feldeggi, also called Feldegg's falcon) have slate grey or brown-grey upperparts; most African subspecies are a paler blue grey above. The breast is streaked in northern birds, resembling greyish saker falcons, but the lanner has a reddish back to the head. Sexes are similar, but the browner young birds resemble saker falcons even more. However, sakers have a lighter top of the head and less clear head-side patterns. The lanner's call is a harsh "wray-e".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0
Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)

Red-footed Falcon

Falco vespertinus

Medium151 gGrassland

It is a medium-small, long-winged species. The adult male is all blue-grey, except for his red undertail and legs; its underwings are uniformly grey. The female has a grey back and wings, orange head and underparts, and a white face with black eye stripe and moustaches. Young birds are brown above and buff below with dark streaks, and a face pattern like the female. Red-footed falcons are 28–34 cm (11–13 in) in length with a wingspan of 65–75 cm (26–30 in). The average mass is 155 g (5.5 oz).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-footed Falcon
Recorded by Jochem Verweij · Begging call · Balmazújváros, Balmazújváros District, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Johannes S. · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Lanner Falcon and Red-footed Falcon.