Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus)
It is a large falcon, at 43–50 cm length with a wingspan of 95–105 cm.
The Lanner Falcon is a bird of open country and savannah. It usually hunts by horizontal pursuit, rather than the stoop from a height, and takes mainly bird prey in flight. It lays 3–4 eggs on a cliff ledge nest, or occasionally in an old stick nest in a tree.
They are bred in captivity for falconry;
But this fellow I captured in the Kalahari, it is a juvenile bird as can be told by the more horizontal dots on the chest…
Great to see animals photographed in the wild than in captivity where they can be observed in their natural environment and mode of behaviour. It is always a delight to follow your blog posts Bulldog, though with my internet problems can only see your images at my Colchester library for the moment.
It is kind of you to go to the trouble to look all the posts up… thank you…
Majestic young bird – great to see close up.
Thanks Brian this was captured in the Kalahari where we have our biggest concentration of raptor birds… will be going back to capture more photos as soon as I can…
That first pic is very majestic. Love the baby one though. He’s gorgeous. 🙂
Thank you.. the first is at the rehab center in Dulstroom and the rest in the Kalahari…
Complex birds. Intriguing too. Terrific shots.
thank you…
Beautiful pic, Bulldog 🙂
Thank you..
Beautiful bird!. I have seen falcon demonstrations and they are impressive but there is something even more impressive when you see them in their natural habitat doing what they do naturally.
I agree Mrs. P. seena few demo of their speed and eye sight .. but this little fellow in the Kalahari was for me a bargain, always wanted a photo in the wild…
What a magnificant looking bird!
Thanks Diana… it is one of those I’ve taken years to get a good photo of… see plenty in flight (too fast) so this was a bargain…
Wow – another gorgeous creature. I love the 2nd to last shot you captured…what a stance — commanding respect and admiration just by his pose. Fantastic dearest friend ~ Much Love to you ~ Robyn
Thanks Robyn… they are so fast in flight that you have to wait for them to settle and this little fellow obliged ..
Beautiful bird.
Thanks Anneli…
Fabulous photos of a beautiful bird!
Thank you..
Beautiful birds. It really does get quite tricky to tell them apart. Fortunately our YBKs and sparrowhawks are distinctive.
btw – finally overcame the poll ID 10 T problem.
Thanks Col… yes I normally don’t have trouble with the bigger birds, as long as one remembers the morphs of the young…
Wow!!! Beautiful!
Thank you..
Ok, I’m no longer depressed after that last post! This one put a smile on my face. What a gorgeous bird! 🙂
Thanks LuAnn.. this is a magnificent bird…
Noble looking bird but I miss the birdie comments 🙂
These never talk to me… just swear at me… and that I can’t repeat…
How beautiful. He has an intense look.
That he does .. all business…
They are absolutely beautiful birds bulldog. Thanks for sharing these stunning photo’s again. 🙂 *hugs*
Thanks Sonel… the raptors are my favourite, never the easiest to capture…
Magnificent photos of a magnificent bird. The second last photo is pretty awesome. Truly making an impression that he are the King looking over his kingdom.
Thanks Viveka… he his very regal and stern looking… but something special…
yes, he truly is … fantastic shot.