Tim writes: the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) is a very large falcon of plains and steppes across Eurasia, that feeds largely on small mammals. This is subspecies milvipes (which means kite-footed) which breeds across the steppes of Asia but winters further south, including China. I photographed this one above 3500m on the Tibetan Plateau where it fed on Plateau Pikas (Ochothona curzoniae). I watched them powering fast and low over the plains ready to snatch a pika unaware. Incidentally the Saker’s scientific name cherrug comes from a Hindi name for this falcon.
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Lovely photo. Brings back happy memories of one I watched on the T P. Why not just “Saker” though? Saker Falcon always jars with me – like Hobby Falcon and Redwing Thrush would. Unless there’s possible confusion, let’s write as we usually speak.
What a great photo of a beautiful bird.