Saker Falcons, Hungary~2012

Catbird · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:50 am

Note (added on April 6, 2012):

Several of the initial posts in this topic have the subject line "International Kestrels." Originally we thought that kestrels were nesting in Hungary, but we soon learned that the birds were Saker falcons. So, the Hungary posts were moved from the International kestrel topic to the new topic here.

Hungary

It looks like there are 5 or 6 eggs here, and it looks sort of like a kestrel in the nest. Is this a Common kestrel, a Lesser kestrel, or something else? Does anyone here know?

Here's the link to the cam: http://www.mavir.hu/web/mavir/elokozvetites1

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:16 am

I believe it is in the Falcon family Catbird.

Judith from the Hungary site posted this last week and I forgot to bring it over...

Catbird · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:43 am

Thanks for the link to the Hungary site, Beth. As it turns out, the Hungary nest box is home to a pair of Saker falcons (Falco cherrug ) that are found from the Middle East eastward into Mongolia and China.

Based on this new information, we should probably move it from the kestrel section of the forum to another area. What does everyone think? :egg16:

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:03 am

I will give SgB a heads up and ask her thoughts...

Nice cam views :egg 19:

kittenface · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 10:23 am

Catbird wrote:

Thanks for the link to the Hungary site, Beth. As it turns out, the Hungary nest box is home to a pair of Saker falcons (Falco cherrug ) that are found from the Middle East eastward into Mongolia and China.

Based on this new information, we should probably move it from the kestrel section of the forum to another area. What does everyone think? :egg16:

Good idea but where is the next thing I never would have dreamed we would have Sakers :egg5:

misc maybe?

Catbird · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 10:42 am

kittenface wrote:

Catbird wrote:

Thanks for the link to the Hungary site, Beth. As it turns out, the Hungary nest box is home to a pair of Saker falcons (Falco cherrug ) that are found from the Middle East eastward into Mongolia and China.

Based on this new information, we should probably move it from the kestrel section of the forum to another area. What does everyone think? :egg16:

Good idea but where is the next thing I never would have dreamed we would have Sakers :egg5:

misc maybe?

I think it would fit perfectly in the MISC. FOREIGN FALCONS topic. It already includes different falcons from around the world, including the bat falcon at the Panama Canal that we affectionately call "Webby."

Ferenz · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 10:54 am

Catbird wrote:

... Is this a Common kestrel, a Lesser kestrel, or something else? Does anyone here know?

Quote: "Saker Falcon is one of the group of the hierofalcons – average smaller than the Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus but larger than Peregrine Falco peregrinus...Saker Falcons at any distance sometimes difficult to tell from Gyrfalcon and Lanner, and distinctive looser build and flight action learned only from experience. Gyrfalcon larger..."
http://www.cherrug.org/sakerfalcon.htm

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/family/falcons-c ... falconidae

Falco Cherrug are genetically most different from PF and are no kestrels.
Saker Falcon belong to the subgenus hierofalcons: They are four closely related species of falcon which make up the subgenus Hierofalco:

Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus
Laggar Falcon, Falco jugger
Saker Falcon, Falco cherrug
Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierofalcon

I would propose to separate this theme from the international kestrel theme.

They are such a precious species that deserves an extra theme in BCAW!
And the birdcam.it friends have done the same since 25th march...

Ferenz/Birdcam.it April,3rd 2012

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/saker-falc ... it-adult-2

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 64757

Thank you so much for the ID, Ferenz. .I didn't think it was a kestrel, but I had no clue what it was. . I'll figure out where we can put a topic for this beauty!! Is everyone aware there is a closeup cam .. click on the right link under the cam

Catbird · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:03 am

Still incubating. I'm wondering when the eggs were laid and when the first hatch will be.

catwoman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:37 am

Great find, Catbird & thanks for the info on this beauty, Ferenz! Very glad we'll be able to follow this family! :egg5:

Beth · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:44 am

Thanks for moving all the posts over to the new
thread Catbird-very much appreciated!!!

This will be fun watching the little ones :)

Ferenz · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2012 10:23 am

http://www.mavir.hu/web/mavir-en/monito ... th-cameras

Carolyn · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2012 1:27 pm

Oh my, they are beautiful! :thumbup

catwoman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:38 pm

There is even a nightlight here! :egg 19:

Terka · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2012 4:00 pm

male

Ferenz · **Posted:** Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:55 am

Amazing gif as ever ...Terka :ohyes:

Carolyn · **Posted:** Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:27 am

I think it's the male on the girder. :egg8:

Terka · **Posted:** Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:37 pm

female

male

Terka · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:52 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdGUx2VW ... ure=colike :eggclap:

Catbird · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:37 am

Terka - I agree with what Ferenz said: You do amazing gifs. And I'd add that you do amazing videos too. It was wonderful to watch your last video of the two adults at the nest trading places over the eggs.

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Saker Falcons, Hungary~2012

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