Examine individual changes

'{{Taxobox | name = | image = Falco_cherrug_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg | image_width = 240px | status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN|id=22696495 |title=''Falco cherrug'' |assessors=[[BirdLife International]] |version=2013.2 |year=2013 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref> | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Aves]] | ordo = [[Falconiformes]] | familia = [[Falconidae]] | genus = ''[[Falcon|Falco]]'' | subgenus = (''[[Hierofalco]]'') | species = '''''F. cherrug''''' | binomial = ''Falco cherrug'' | binomial_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1834 | range_map = Falco cherrug distr.png | range_map_width = 240px | range_map_caption = Range of the saker falcon<br/>Yellow = breeding<br/>Blue = wintering<br/>Green = all-year | synonyms = ''Falco altaicus'' <small>([[Mikhail Aleksandrovich Menzbier|Menzbier]], 1891)</small><br /> ''Hierofalco altaicus'' <small>Menzbier, 1891</small> }} The '''saker falcon''' (''Falco cherrug'') is a very large [[falcon]]. This species breeds from eastern [[Europe]] eastwards across [[Asia]] to [[Manchuria]]. It is mainly [[bird migration|migratory]] except in the southernmost parts of its range, wintering in [[Ethiopia]], the [[Arabian peninsula]], northern [[Pakistan]] and western [[China]]. ==Etymology== The specific part of the [[scientific name]], ''cherrug'', comes from the [[Hindi]] name ''charg'' for a female saker.<ref name=DSBN>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names |last=Jobling |first=James A |year=1991 |publisher=[[OUP]] |isbn=0 19 854634 3}}</ref> The [[common name]] ''saker'' comes from the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] صقر (pronounced ''saqr'') meaning "falcon".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/saker |title=Definition of saker |work=Collins English Dictionary |publisher= |accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref> ==Description and systematics== The saker falcon is a large [[hierofalcon]], larger than the [[lanner falcon]] and almost as large as [[gyrfalcon]] at 47–55&nbsp;cm (18-22 inches) length with a wingspan of 105–129&nbsp;cm (42-50 inches). Its broad blunt wings give it a shadow similar to gyrfalcon, but its plumage is more similar to a lanner falcon's. Saker falcons have brown upperbellies and contrasting grey flight feathers. The head and underparts are paler brown, with streaking from the breast down. [[Male]]s (called '''sakrets''' in [[falconry]]) and [[female]]s are similar, as are young birds, although these tend to be a duller brown. The call is a sharp ''kiy-ee''. Adults can be distinguished from the similar [[lanner falcon]] since the lanner is blue-grey above with a reddish back to the head. However, juveniles of the two species can be very similar although the saker falcon always has a uniformly buff top of the head with dark streaks, and a less clear pattern on the sides of the head. A further complication is that some Asian birds have grey barred upperparts; these must be separated from lanner on size, structure, and a weaker moustache stripe. Saker falcons at the northeast edge of the range in the [[Altai Mountains]] are slightly larger, and darker and more heavily spotted on the underparts than other populations. These, known as the '''[[Altai falcon]]''', have been treated in the past either as a distinct species '''''"Falco altaicus"''''' or as a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between saker falcon and gyrfalcon, but modern opinion (e.g. Orta 1994) is to tentatively treat it as a form of saker falcon, until comprehensive studies of its [[population genetics]] and [[ecology]] are available. This [[species]] belongs to the close-knit hierofalcon complex. In this group, there is ample evidence for rampant hybridization and incomplete [[lineage sorting]] which confounds analyses of [[DNA sequence]] data to a massive extent; molecular studies with small [[sample size]]s can simply not be expected to yield reliable conclusions in the entire hierofalcon group. The [[radiation (biology)|radiation]] of the entire living diversity of hierofalcons seems to have taken place in the [[Eemian interglacial]] at the start of the [[Late Pleistocene]], a mere 130,000-115,000 years ago; the saker falcon represents a lineage that expanded out of northeastern [[Africa]] into the interior of southeastern Europe and Asia, by way of the eastern [[Mediterranean]] region.<ref>Helbig ''et al.'' (1994), Wink ''et al.'' (1998), Wink ''et al.'' (2004), Nittinger ''et al.'' (2005)</ref> In captivity, lanners and sakers can interbreed, and [[gyrfalcon]]-saker hybrids are also available (see bird flu experiment described in "Ecology and status"). A [[Hungary|Hungarian]] mythological bird, the [[Turul]], was probably a saker falcon (''kerecsensólyom'').<ref>[http://www.savethesaker.com/images/falco17.pdf Laszlo Molnar: Saker Falcon protection in Eastern Europe]</ref> ==Ecology and status== The saker falcon is a raptor of open grasslands preferably with some trees or cliffs. It often hunts by horizontal pursuit, rather than the [[Peregrine falcon|peregrine's]] stoop from a height, and feeds mainly on [[rodent]]s and birds. In Europe, [[European ground squirrel|ground squirrel]]s and [[feral pigeon]]s are the most common prey items. This species usually builds no nest of its own, but lays its 3-6 eggs in an old stick nest in a tree which was previously used by other birds such as storks, ravens or buzzards. It also often nests on cliffs. [[BirdLife International]] categorises this bird as [[endangered]], due to a rapid population decline, particularly on the central Asian breeding grounds. Ever since the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], the [[United Arab Emirates]] have been the main destination for thousands of falcons caught and sold illegally for hefty sums at the black market. [[Kazakhstan]] is estimated to lose up to 1,000 saker falcons per year.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Antelava | first = Natalia | title = Kazakhs use eagle to save rare falcon | publisher = BBC News | date = 5 August 2007 <!--, 17:05 GMT 18:05 UK --> | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6932299.stm }}</ref> The species also faces pressure from habitat loss and destruction. The population was estimated to be between 7,200 and 8,800 mature individuals in 2004. In the United States there are several [[captive breeding]] projects. There are currently several successful breeding projects by falconers in Canada. The most dramatic decline of the saker falcon in Asia has been in [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Uzbekistan]]. In contrast, a strongly protected and relatively abundant population persist in [[Hungary]]. Saker nests support a species-rich assemblage of [[commensal]] insects (Merkl et al. 2004). Saker falcons are known to be very susceptible to [[avian influenza]], individuals having been found infected with highly pathogenic H5N1 (in [[Saudi Arabia]]) and H7N7 (in [[Italy]]) strains. Therefore an experiment was done with [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] [[gyrfalcon|gyr]]-saker falcons, which found that 5 falcons vaccinated with a commercial H5N2 influenza vaccine survived infection with a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, whereas 5 unvaccinated falcons died. This means that sakers could be protected from bird flu by vaccination, at least in captivity.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Lierz | first = Michael | authorlink = | coauthors = Hafez M. Hafez, Robert Klopfleisch, Dörte Lüschow, Christine Prusas, Jens P. Teifke, Miriam Rudolf, Christian Grund, Donata Kalthoff, Thomas Mettenleiter, Martin Beer, and Timm Harder | title = Protection and Virus Shedding of Falcons Vaccinated against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Virus (H5N1) | journal = Emerging Infectious Diseases | volume = 13 | issue = 11 | pages = 1667–74 | publisher = Centers for Disease Control | location = | date = November 2007 | url = http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/13/11/1667.htm | pmid = 18217549| doi = 10.3201/eid1311.070705 | id = | accessdate = 12 June 2010 | pmc=3375792}}</ref> <gallery> Faucon sacre MHNT.jpg|Egg - [[Muséum de Toulouse]] Saker Falcon RWD3.jpg|Captive, Carolina Raptor Center, United States Saker_Falcon_RWD4.jpg|Captive, Carolina Raptor Center Sakerfalcon.JPG|Captive bird, [[Chew Valley Lake]], [[England]] Falco cherrug Qatar.jpg|Captive bird, [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] Aa_saker_female.jpg|Captive bird </gallery> [[Image:Turul-Tb-front.jpg|thumb|A saker falcon ([[Turul]]) monument at [[Tatabánya]], [[Hungary]].]] ==In culture== Saker falcon is the national bird of [[Hungary]], known as [[Turul]] in the [[Hungarian mythology]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} In [[Disney]]'s ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]'', the Hun Leader Shan Yu owns a saker falcon called Hayabusa. ==Use in falconry== The saker falcon has been used in falconry for thousands of years, and like its very close relative the [[gyrfalcon]] is a highly regarded falconry bird. Swift and powerful, it is effective against medium and large game bird species.<ref>Beebe, Frank (1984). ''A Falconry Manual.'' Hancock House Publishers, ISBN 0-88839-978-2.</ref> In recent years hybrids of saker falcons and peregrine falcons have been developed in order to provide falconers a bird with greater size and horizontal speed than the peregrine, with greater propensity for diving stoops on game than the saker. ==Footnotes== <references/> =='''References'''''''''BolήἈᾉῪd text'''''''''Bold text''''''Bold''''''Bold text'''''''''Bold text''''''poop''cool''''''''''' text'''''''''==<!-- FaunAbh26:63. --> * Helbig, A.J.; Seibold, I.; Bednarek, W.; Brüning, H.; Gaucher, P.; Ristow, D.; Scharlau, W.; Schmidl, D. & Wink, Michael (1994): Phylogenetic relationships among falcon species (genus Falco) according to DNA sequence variation of the cytochrome b gene. ''In:'' Meyburg, B.-U. & Chancellor, R.D. (eds.): ''Raptor conservation today'': 593-599. [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1994/4.%201994.pdf PDF fulltext] * Merkl, O.; Bagyura, J; Rózsa, L. (2004) Insects inhabiting Saker (Falco cherrug) nests in Hungary. ''Ornis Hungarica'' '''14''': 1-4. [http://www.zoologia.hu/list/merkl_et_al.pdf PDF fulltext] * Nittinger, F.; Haring, E.; Pinsker, W.; Wink, Michael & Gamauf, A. (2005) Out of Africa? Phylogenetic relationships between ''Falco biarmicus'' and other hierofalcons (Aves Falconidae). ''Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research'' '''43'''(4) 321-331. <small>{{doi|10.1111/j.1439-0469.2005.00326.x}}</small> [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/2005/28.2005.pdf PDF fulltext] * Orta, Jaume (1994): 57. Saker Falcon. ''In:'' del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew & Sargatal, Jordi (eds.): ''[[Handbook of Birds of the World]], Volume 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl'': 273-274, plate 28. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. <small>ISBN 84-87334-15-6</small> * Tomek, Teresa & Bocheński, Zygmunt (2005) Weichselian and Holocene bird remains from Komarowa Cave, Central Poland. ''Acta zoologica cracoviensia'' '''48A'''(1-2) 43-65. [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/download?pub=infobike%3a%2f%2fisez%2fazc%2f2005%2f00000048%2fF0020001%2fart00005&mimetype=application%2fpdf PDF fulltext] * Wink, Michael; Seibold, I.; Lotfikhah, F. & Bednarek, W. (1998) Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). ''In:'' Chancellor, R.D., Meyburg, B.-U. & Ferrero, J.J. (eds.): ''Holarctic Birds of Prey'': 29-48. Adenex & WWGBP. [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf PDF fulltext] * Wink, Michael; Sauer-Gürth, Hedi; Ellis, David & Kenward, Robert (2004) Phylogenetic relationships in the Hierofalco complex (Saker-, Gyr-, Lanner-, Laggar Falcon). ''In:'' Chancellor, R.D. & Meyburg, B.-U. (eds.): ''Raptors Worldwide'': 499-504. WWGBP, Berlin. [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/2004/27.2004.pdf PDF fulltext] ==External links== {{Commons|Falco cherrug}} *[http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3619&m=0 BirdLife International Species Factsheet] *[http://www.cherrug.org Southeast Europe Saker falcon Network] *[http://sakerlife2.mme.hu/en/content/webcam-1 Live 24hr view of a saker falcon nest] [[Category:Falco (genus)]] [[Category:Falconry]] [[Category:Birds of Azerbaijan]] [[Category:Birds of Pakistan]] [[Category:Birds of Europe]] [[Category:Birds of Turkey]] [[Category:Birds of the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Birds of Cameroon]] [[Category:Birds with sequenced genomes]] [[Category:African birds of prey]]'