Sakar Falcon (Falco cherrug)
The Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) is a very large falcon. This species breeds from eastern Europe eastwards across Asia to Manchuria. It is mainly migratory except in the southernmost parts of its range, wintering in Ethiopia, the Arabian peninsula, northern India and western China. During the end of the last ice age - oxygen isotope stages 3-2, some 40,000 to 10,000 years ago -, it also occurred in Poland (Tomek & Bocheński 2005). The Saker Falcon, recently listed as Endangered on Global level, is also highly dependent on the presence of open well grazed habitats in the mountains and lowlands. The traditions of implementing Transhumance have been totally lost during the Communistic period in Bulgaria due to the nationalization of economy including the livestock breeding. Falconry is an art. It requires long hours, constant devotion, finesse, subtlety and skill. The falconer must train a bird of prey to fly free, hunt for a human being and then accept a return to captivity. "Falconry is not a hobby; it’s a lifestyle," according to Ted Benzon, administrator for the falconry program for South Dakota’s Game Fish & Parks Department. Falconers must devote time to their birds each and every day, 365 days a year. It is not for everyone. It is not a suitable pastime for children. In addition, it takes a thick skin. Animal-rights activists and some environmentalists condemn falconers; some hunters claim falcons interfere with "their" hunting; and many falconers have lost a bird to inept or ill-intentioned hunters. A fledgling falconer should begin with knowledge. The beginner must learn about the various gaming birds, their stages of life, characteristics, prey, care, feeding and suitability for the falconer and the hunting environment. Some medical knowledge is a must, too, because a falconer must be able to recognize and treat health problems. That’s not all. Don’t forget learning about proper housing for the birds, and knowing how to use the equipment
Size: 4302px × 4872px
Location: Ladysmith Vancouver Island BC British Columbia Canada
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: agile, arab, bird, conservation, desert, falconer, falconry, fast, food, game, hawk, hunter, interest, killer, nature, ornithology, passion, pastime, powerful, predator, raptor, silent, speed, sport, swift, wildlife
