The 4 best types of falcons in Algeria

Types of falcons in Algeria

Algeria is known for its abundance of falcons, as well as its falconry. In this article, we will discuss these species, given their importance in the world of birds of prey.

Types of falcons in Algeria

Falcons are diverse in Algeria, so below we will explore the different types of falcons in Algeria.

1. Peregrine Falcon

The Barbary peregrine falcon lives in North Africa, and Algeria is one of the countries where the peregrine falcon lives. It is also one of the fastest falcons in the world of birds of prey. Among the characteristics of the Barbary peregrine falcon are:

  • Return to its original nesting site every year.
  • Accuracy in spotting and hunting its prey from a height of 300 meters.
  • High speed up to 320 km/h.
  • Strong legs for hunting prey
  • Rapid and balanced descent to catch prey.
  • Different methods of fishing.

Specifications of the shape of the peregrine falcon

  1. Its length ranges between (36:49) cm.
  2. Its wingspan is between (76.98) cm.
  3. The upper part is pale blue-grey.
  4. The lower section is striped in yellow-orange (beige).
  5. The male weighs between 285 and 310 grams.
  6. The weight of the female ranges between (315: 348) grams.

The Barbary falcon is known for its larger females than the males, and is relatively sedentary in its nesting area. It also prefers to live on rocky hills and mountains in semi-desert areas, as well as in mountains and arid areas.
The female Barbary falcon lays between 3 and 5 eggs, and the incubation period is about 30 days.

2. The Wicker Falcon

It is one of the falcons that are spread in many places across (Africa, the Middle East, and Italy). Algeria is considered one of the countries where the (wickeri) is found, as it prefers to live in open spaces and mountains covered with forests. The most important characteristics of the wickeri’s appearance are:

  • Its length reaches about 50 cm.
  • Its wingspan ranges from 95 to 105 cm.
  • His body is known for its smallness.
  • The male weighs between 500 and 600 grams.
  • The weight of the female ranges between (700 g to 900 g).
  • The color of its wings is a mixture of gray and brown.
  • The chest is white with black spots.
  • The male's back is dark brown with light streaks.
  • The female's back is light brown with dark stripes.
  • Young wickeries are brown.
  • The female wicker is known to be darker in color than the male, in addition to her larger size. She also lays eggs for her young, about
  • (2 to 5) eggs, and their incubation period ranges from 30 to 35 days, and although the feathers of the young appear within a period not exceeding
  • (47) days, but they depend on adults for up to 3 months.

Features of the Wicker Falcon

  1. The clear difference between male and female.
  2. One of the most expensive falcons.
  3. Great ability to tolerate hunger.
  4. He has the ability to withstand illness.
  5. He is gentle and easy to train.
  6. Easy to direct and train.
  7. His hunting proficiency is average.

3. The free falcon

This type of falcon is native to Europe and Asia, but it migrates in the winter to Africa via the Arabian Peninsula. It is also one of the favorite falcons of the Arabs. It is also known as the gazelle falcon, and it is one of the large falcons. The characteristics of the peregrine falcon are:

  • Large size
  • Its length ranges from (45 to 57) cm.
  • Its wingspan reaches 1.25 meters.
  • The male weighs between 750 grams and 990 grams.
  • The female weighs between 970 and 1200 grams.
  • Its color varies between dark brown and yellowish white.
  • There are thick brown stripes on his body.
  • The female peregrine falcon lays between 3 and 6 eggs, and the incubation period lasts approximately 5 weeks.

Features of the gazelle falcon

  1. High heat tolerance.
  2. Large size and wingspan.
  3. Body strength.
  4. Distinctive shape.
  5. It is worth noting that the peregrine falcon is one of the difficult falcons to tame, and it prefers to eat meat such as rodents and small animals.

4. Sparrowhawk

It is one of the falcons that migrate to the Arab world and North Africa during the winter, as it is found in (Europe and Asia), and this species is called by many names such as:

  1. Sparrowhawk
  2. The kestrel
  3. Sherbas
  4. Abu Amira

And the specifications of the shape of the hawk

  • Small size.
  • The length of the male ranges between (29 to 31) cm.
  • The length of the female ranges between (35 to 41) cm.
  • The male weighs between 110 and 196 grams.
  • The female's weight is between 185 and 330 grams.
  • Its upper color is gray with reddish stripes below.
  • Small, sharp beak.

Falcon features

small size
agility
Speed of attack on prey
small beak for catching prey
sharp claws

What is the most expensive falcon in the world?

The peregrine falcon is considered one of the most expensive falcons in the world. Arabs have classified the peregrine falcon into two types:

  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Mountain falcon

The marine peregrine falcon is light-colored and is known to be the largest of the peregrine falcons. The wild peregrine falcon is dark-colored and lives in the mountains of the Arabian Peninsula.
In 2021, the world witnessed the sale of the most expensive falcon, the Libyan Peregrine Falcon, because it is an endangered species.

Is there a peregrine falcon in Algeria?

Experts have confirmed the presence of the peregrine falcon in Algeria, and it has been called the Barbary falcon.

Characteristics of the Barbary falcon

  • High speed.
  • Easy pounce on prey
  • Smoothness in descent and flight.
  • Strong claws.

Types of falcons and their names

Falcons have different types and names.

First: Types of falcons

The most important types of falcons:

  1. The kestrel is a small group of falcons that live in Asia, Africa, Europe and America.
  2. The Shuwaihen group is considered a relatively large group of falcons, and feeds on small birds.
  3. The peregrine falcon is one of the strongest and fastest falcons in the world.

Second: Falcon names

The most famous names for falcons are:

  1. Madagascar kestrel
  2. Seychelles kestrel
  3. Mauritius kestrel
  4. Reunion eagle
  5. Sooty falcon or Eleonora's falcon
  6. Sunset falcon or peregrine falcon
  7. American kestrel
  8. Abulmado Falcon
  9. The eye
  10. Bat hawk
  11. Orange-breasted Falcon
  12. Australian peregrine falcon
  13. New Zealand falcon
  14. brown hawk
  15. gray falcon
  16. Black Hawk
  17. lanner falcon
  18. Falcon Lagar
  19. free falcon
  20. Peregrine Falcon
  21. Meadow falcon
  22. Taita Falcon

We previously reviewed all the information about the types of falcons in Algeria, in addition to their characteristics and physical specifications.

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