Lanner Falcon
Falco biarmicus
The Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) is a uncommon falcons and caracara found in 57 countries, weighing about 606 g. The lanner falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia.
About the Lanner Falcon
The lanner falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It prefers open habitat and is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season. A large falcon, it preys on birds and bats. Most likely either the lanner or peregrine falcon was the sacred species of falcon to the ancient Egyptians, and some ancient Egyptian deities, like Ra and Horus, were often represented as a man with the head of a lanner falcon.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, Spain, Israel, United Kingdom, Tunisia, Georgia, Türkiye, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Belgium, Germany, Croatia, North Macedonia.
When to see it
The Lanner Falcon can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Lanner Falcon?
- It is a large falcon, at 43–50 cm (17–20 in) length with a wingspan of 95–105 cm (37–41 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Lanner Falcon?
- The Lanner Falcon is a large sized bird weighing about 606 g.
- Where can you see a Lanner Falcon?
- The Lanner Falcon occurs in 57 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and Tanzania.
- What birds look similar to a Lanner Falcon?
- The Lanner Falcon is most easily confused with the Amur Falcon, the Red-footed Falcon and the Greater Kestrel.
- Is the Lanner Falcon endangered?
- The Lanner Falcon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Lanner Falcon for real
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