Falco biarmicus
The Lanner Falcon is a very efficient bird of prey, specialised in hunting mainly birds, especially doves and pigeons, and poultry, and often caught in flight at high speed. Accordingly it is usually found in fairly open habitats. They prefer to nest on cliff ledges but in towns and cities tall buildings are also used. Pairs are territorial and monogamous and may stay together their entire lives, nesting through the winter months when they raise clutches of 1-5 chicks. The female takes responsibility for most of the incubation duties, which takes about a month for the eggs to hatch, while the male provides food to her and the newly hatched chicks at the nest. The chicks take their first flight at about 6 weeks of age and become independent of their parents when they’re about 4 months old.
Lanner Falcons occur all over South Africa, and beyond our borders throughout Africa, Arabia and southern Europe. The IUCN lists the species as being of least concern.
DeWetsWild 