Saker falcon (Falco cherrug).
Image: Quartl, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- FaunaHub record reviewed
- Checked against IUCN
- Matches source — IUCN's 2021 global assessment of Falco cherrug says EndangeredChecked 2026-10-09 against IUCN's Red List export published 2026-07-28 · assessment
Conservation overview
The saker falcon is a large, powerful falcon of open steppe and desert. It is assessed as Endangered.
It is highly prized in falconry, which drives heavy capture from the wild.
Range & habitat
Open country from eastern Europe and the Middle East across Central Asia.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Capture for falconry
- Electrocution on power lines
- Habitat change and reduced prey
Why it matters
A steppe falcon caught up in the falconry trade, the saker falcon is a flagship for Central Asian grasslands and for making power infrastructure safe for raptors.
Gallery
Saker falcon (Falco cherrug).
Image: Michael Gäbler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Saker Falcon
- IUCN Red List — look up Saker Falcon (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the saker falcon captured?
It is highly valued in falconry, especially in parts of the Middle East, and wild birds are trapped to supply that demand — a major pressure on the species.
Why is the saker falcon Endangered?
Published assessments cite capture for falconry, electrocution on power lines, and habitat change and reduced prey. See the IUCN Red List.