Saker Falcon

Размерами и телосложением очень похож на кречета, (совместно практически не встречаются), немного меньше. Основной тон окраски рыжевато-серый, снизу более светлый, чаще всего палевый или близкий к нему, с продольными темными пестринами. Отличается от сапсана рыжеватой окраской, отсутствием отчетливых черных "усов", светлым верхом головы. Самцы и самки окрашены сходно, самки крупнее. Ноги, восковица и кожистое кольцо вокруг глаза желтые. Молодые похожи на взрослых, но в целом темнее, особенно заметна более густая темная опестренность снизу; ноги, восковица и кольцо вокруг глаза голубовато-серые. Полет сильный, но обычно летают с нечастыми взмахами, чередуя активный полет со скольжением. Иногда "трясутся" подобно пустельге. Нередко парят, причем довольно высоко. Вес самцов 730-950, самок - 970-1300 г, длина 42-59, крыло самцов 34.7-37.2, самок - 38.6-42.3, размах - 102-129 см.

In previous years the Saker Falcon was common but at the present time due to uncontrolled capture Falcons from the wildlife during the past 10 years by the Arab poachers and their helpers from Kazakhstan the Saker Falcon became the rare breeding bird. Inhabits the steppes and deserts in areas with presence of the individual trees or groves, power lines, geodesic towers; also in canyons, river precipices, rocky outcrops, and gorges in mountains. The proximity of habitats of a large number of rodents and birds which are containing the main food of Saker Falcon is a necessary condition for nesting both in plains and in mountains. In breeding areas appears from February to April. Breeds in separate pairs at least 300-400 m (usually 1-10 km and more) apart, mostly in old nests of other birds of prey (Long-legged Buzzard, Black Kite, Imperial Eagle) and crows; nest may be placed on the tree, on rock or pole. One nest is used some years, but if there is no shortage of suitable for breeding nests, the nests are rotated every year. Laying of 2-6 (usually 3-4) eggs is from end of March to May. Only female incubates for 30 days, male bring the food to female and to nestlings in first time. Chicks hatch from early May to early June. Both parents feed juveniles which fledge at age 45 days old, in end May – July. Autumn migration begins in the end of August – September. At Chokpak Pass two waves of migration were registered, from 1 to 20 September and from 6 to 30 October. In small numbers Saker Falcons winters in foothills of Tien Shan, in Zaysan depression, in Ile valley, near Syrdarya and in Betpak-Dala. On Chardara reservoir three birds recorded in December 18-21 2003.