Lanner Falcon
The lanner falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey found across much of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. It has a slate-grey back, pale underparts, and a distinctive dark stripe below each eye that gives it a masked appearance. Adults reach a wingspan of around 95 to 110 cm and weigh between 550 and 900 g, with females noticeably larger than males. It hunts mainly birds, including doves and pigeons, using fast and low pursuit flights rather than the steep stoops typical of the peregrine. Pairs often hunt together, flushing prey into the open before striking. It nests on cliff ledges, rocky outcrops, and occasionally tall buildings or pylons. Pairs are territorial throughout the year. Long prized in falconry across Africa and the Middle East, the species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it faces local pressure from habitat loss, electrocution on power lines, and illegal capture.
Habitat and distribution
Across its vast range, the lanner falcon occupies some of the most open landscapes on earth. It favours dry savannas, grasslands, rocky gorges, and cliff faces from sea level up to considerable elevations in mountainous areas. In Africa it is widespread south of the Sahara and throughout the continent's arid north, while in Europe it is found mainly in Italy, Greece, and the Balkans. Populations also exist across the Middle East, including the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, and parts of the Caucasus. The species tends to avoid dense forest, preferring terrain where it can spot and pursue prey over open ground. Cliff ledges and rocky outcrops are central to its distribution, as these sites provide both nesting opportunities and commanding views of the surrounding landscape.
Diet
Birds make up the core of the lanner falcon's diet. Doves, pigeons, larks, and starlings are among the most frequently taken prey, though the falcon is adaptable and will target whatever species are locally abundant. Alongside birds, it also catches bats, small rodents, and lizards when the opportunity arises, particularly in areas where avian prey is less plentiful. The lanner is an opportunist at feeding sites too, and groups have been recorded gathering at locust swarms or grass fires to pick off insects and small vertebrates flushed by the flames. Prey is typically caught in the air or taken from the ground after a low chase. Pairs hunting together are noticeably more successful, as one bird flushes the prey while the other makes the strike.
Behavior
Rather than the near vertical stoops used by the peregrine falcon, the lanner relies on fast, low pursuit flights to run down its prey. Pairs often hunt cooperatively, working together to herd birds into the open before one of them closes in for the kill. This teamwork makes the lanner particularly effective in open terrain. Nesting takes place on cliff ledges and rocky outcrops, and the species occasionally uses the old nests of other large birds or settles on tall man made structures such as pylons. Pairs hold their territories throughout the year and return to the same nest sites repeatedly. Calls are loud and sharp, used to maintain contact and warn rivals. Outside the breeding season, young birds may wander some distance from where they hatched.
Falconry
Few raptors have as long a connection to falconry as the lanner falcon. Records of its use in the sport stretch back centuries across Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, where it was prized for its agility in open country and its willingness to work alongside the falconer. It handles hot and arid conditions better than many other falcons, which made it particularly valued in desert regions. In parts of Africa and the Arab world it remains in active use today. Because the lanner is easier to train than some of its relatives and responds well to handling, it has also been widely used in falconry schools and demonstration displays in Europe. Demand from falconers has historically contributed to the illegal trapping of wild birds, which remains a concern in parts of its range.
Conservation
The IUCN currently lists the lanner falcon as Least Concern, reflecting the fact that its population remains broadly stable across its wide range. Even so, numbers have declined in certain regions, and the species faces a handful of serious threats. Electrocution on power lines is one of the most consistent causes of death for birds that nest or perch near electrical infrastructure. Changes to land use, including the conversion of open habitats to farmland or urban areas, reduce the availability of suitable hunting ground. Illegal capture for the falconry trade puts additional pressure on wild populations, especially in North Africa and the Middle East. In southern Europe, where the breeding population is small and fragmented, conservation efforts have focused on nest protection and fitting power lines with guards to reduce the risk of electrocution.
Technical factsheet
Where it is found
The Lanner Falcon can be found in places such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the lanner falcon eat?
The lanner falcon feeds mostly on birds such as doves, pigeons, larks, and starlings. It also catches bats, lizards, and small rodents when birds are scarce. At grass fires or locust swarms, groups will gather to snatch insects and small animals flushed into the open. Pairs often hunt together, with one bird driving the prey toward the other to make the catch more reliable.
How fast is the lanner falcon?
The lanner falcon is a swift and agile flier, but it hunts differently from the peregrine. Instead of diving from great heights, it chases prey at low altitude in fast, direct pursuit flights. This approach suits the open savannas and grasslands it lives in. Exact speeds in the wild are difficult to measure, but the lanner is built for sustained speed and sharp turns rather than a single high speed plunge.
Where does the lanner falcon live?
The lanner falcon has one of the widest ranges of any falcon, covering most of Africa, much of the Middle East, and parts of southern Europe including Italy, Greece, and the Balkans. It favours open country such as dry savannas, rocky gorges, and cliff faces. It avoids dense forest and is most at home in places where it has a clear view over open ground to spot and chase prey.
Is the lanner falcon endangered?
The lanner falcon is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, meaning it is not currently at risk of extinction globally. However, populations in parts of southern Europe are small and fragmented, and the species faces real threats including electrocution on power lines, loss of open habitat, and illegal capture for falconry. Local declines are a concern even where the overall global population remains relatively stable.
How does the lanner falcon hunt?
The lanner falcon relies on fast, low pursuit flights to catch prey rather than the steep dives used by the peregrine. One of its most interesting traits is cooperative hunting: pairs work as a team, with one bird flushing prey into the open while the other moves in to strike. This strategy makes them noticeably more successful than when hunting alone, especially across flat, open terrain.
What is the difference between a lanner falcon and a peregrine falcon?
Both are large, powerful falcons, but they differ in several ways. The lanner is slightly smaller on average, has a warmer brown tone on the crown, and hunts with low pursuit flights rather than the peregrine's famous near vertical stoop. The peregrine is considered the faster bird in a dive. The lanner is also more tolerant of hot and arid conditions, which is why it thrives across Africa and the Middle East.
Do lanner falcons mate for life?
Lanner falcons form strong pair bonds and are territorial throughout the year, returning to the same nest sites season after season. While long term fidelity to a partner is common in many falcon species, it is not guaranteed for life since pairs may change if one bird dies or disappears. What is clear is that established pairs invest heavily in holding and defending their territory as a unit across consecutive breeding seasons.