The laggar falcon (Falco jugger) belongs to the family Falconidae. These laggar falcon species are distributed in India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Taxonomy of Laggar falcon
- Scientific Name: Falco jugger
- Common Name: Laggar falcon
- French: Faucon laggar; German: Laggarfalke; Spanish: Halcón yággar;
- Other names: Falco jugger J. E. Gray, 1834;
- Family: Falconidae › Falconiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Species author: J.E. Gray, 1834
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| Indian birds - Image of Laggar falcon - Falco jugger |
Description
The laggar falcon is a medium sized bird of prey, measuring 40 to 45 cm in length and weighing 500 to 850 grams. The wingspan is 90 to 110 cm. These birds have dark plumage on the back. The face, cheeks and throat are pale. The chest is striated. They appear slender with long wings and tail. Their call is a loud "we-ee-ee" sound.Habitat
These species of birds inhabit arid open areas, dry woodland, cultivated areas and open country with scattered trees near human habitations.Feeding habits
These falcon species feed mostly on birds, especially game birds and passerines. They also feed on small mammals and lizards.Breeding
The laggar falcon breeding season is from January to May. They have been observed to use the stick nest of other birds and tree holes. The clutch consists of three to five eggs.Distribution
These falcon species are distributed in India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. They are conspicuously absent in south India.Movement Patterns
These falcon species are resident birds and are sedentary. They move around their range while foraging.Status and conservation
The laggar falcon global population was estimated at 15,000 to 30,000 individual birds. There is rapid decline in the population and these species of falcons are considered near threatened. The spread of agriculture and use of pesticides, trapping and capture for falconry and habitat destruction are the main threats to the survival of these species of birds.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these falcon species and has listed them as "Near Threatened".
| Biological classification of Falco jugger | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Falconiformes |
| Family: | Falconidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Falco |
| Species: | F. jugger |
| Binomial name: | Falco jugger |
| Distribution: | India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar; |
| Feeding habits: | birds, reptiles and small mammals; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Near Threatened |
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Laggar_Falcon_in_Flight.jpg
Image author: Sumeet Moghe | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Laggar falcon - Falco jugger.
