The Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus biarmicus) is a medium-sized bird. It is a raptor, a bird of prey.

The Lanner Falcon has grey-brown feathers on upperparts, streaked with white throughout its underparts. It has a rufous (red-brown) crown and back of neck, with a white throat. It has black-brown patches on its cheeks – a bit like a moustache. It has yellow legs with short claws, and large strong toes.

It has a short, hooked pale beak with a dark-grey tip and a white cere. The eyes are distinctive with a large, round, black pupil and an almond-shaped blue-grey to pale-yellow eye-ring. Juveniles have blue-grey eye-rings, and adults have pale-yellow eye-rings.

 

It grows to 38-46 centimetres (15-18 inches) tall, with a wingspan of about 95 centimetres (37 inches).

The Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) is native to Africa, southeast Europe, and Asia. The species Falco biarmicus biarmicusis specifically from southern Kenya to South Africa. It prefers cliffs and rocky hills in dry regions, open country and savannahs.

It is diurnal, active during the day.

The Lanner Falcon usually attacks its prey, such as smaller birds, during flight.

Females lay 3-4 eggs in a stick nest on a cliff ledge or tree.

 

 

 

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM