This Lanner Falcon was captured as is last summer at the Bird of Prey show at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada…..To see an enlarged version just clickon the image.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3I 18.0 MP CMOS, w a Canon 150-500mm Zoom Lens exp 6.3, Shutter speed 1/500, ISO 320. Focal Length 500mm.

The Lanner Falcon is a native of all of Africa and the southern parts of Italy, Sicily, Greece and Asia Minor. It is a large falcon, at 43–50 cm length with a wingspan of 95–105 cm. European Lanner Falcons (Falco biarmicus feldeggi, also called Feldegg’s Falcon) have slate grey or brown-grey upperparts; most African subspecies are a paler blue grey above. The breast is streaked in northern birds, resembling greyish Saker Falcons, but the Lanner has a reddish back to the head. Sexes are similar, but the browner young birds resemble Saker Falcons even more. However, Sakers have a lighter top of the head and less clear head-side patterns. The Lanner’s call is a harsh “wray-e”.

The Lanner Falcon is a fast-flying bird and is well designed for catching birds up to the size of a Guinea Fowl, and bats, especially the larger fruit bats.
When prey of this kind is scarce, ground living mammals and lizards are taken. It will also gorge on locusts and flying termites when they are swarming.

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