Saker falcon: incubation period, weaning age and breeding
Saker falcon eggs hatch after 32–36 days of incubation. Chicks fledge at 45–50 days and are weaned and independent at about 75–95 days. A typical clutch is 3–5 eggs.
Breeding numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Adult weight (g) | 730-1300 |
| Male weight (g) | 730-990 |
| Female weight (g) | 970-1300 |
| Length (cm) | 45-57 |
| Wing chord (mm) | m 340-385, f 375-412 |
| Clutch size | 3-5 (2-6) |
| Incubation (days) | 32-36 |
| Fledging (days) | 45-50 |
| Weaning / independence (days) | 75-95 |
| Lifespan (years) | 15-20 |
| Breeding season | Wild: lays late March-April (C. Europe/C. Asia). Captive: eggs March-April; Gulf farms (climate controlled) often Feb-March; natural pairs and AI both used. |
| Sexing | Reverse size dimorphism: female ~1/3 heavier (falconers: falcon vs tiercel; Gulf: "tabaa" for the male peregrine, "qarmousha" or "wakri" for the male saker). Chicks and hybrids: DNA (feather/blood) is reliable; size alone overlaps between species and hybrids. Gulf size classes: "hurr" (full size) = female; "mathlouth" = mid-size; "wakri" (Qatar/Saudi) or "qarmousha" (UAE) = male. |
| Moult | Gulf practice: moulting room ("mqeez") mid-April/May to Sept/Oct after the season; one complete moult per year, natural moult starts in the breeding season (females during incubation). |
| Quarry | Houbara (classic), stone curlew, hare, desert birds. |
| Gulf heat tolerance | 4/5 - good; still needs shade, water bath and cool mews in summer. |
| Temperament | Steady, tough, tail-chaser with stamina; less high-strung than peregrine; good for beginners in the Gulf. |
| Disease prevention | Prevention: aspergillosis (heat stress, dust, poor ventilation, transport/stress - Gulf summer & start of season); bumblefoot (overweight, inactivity, hard/smooth perches - use padded/astroturf perches, keep talons trimmed); frounce/trichomoniasis and falcon herpesvirus (both from feeding pigeons/doves - avoid wild or unknown pigeons, freeze food); sour crop/ingluvitis (feeding before the crop empties, spoiled or warm meat); coccidiosis (young birds, damp mews); avian pox (mosquitoes - vaccine available); lead (shot quarry/pigeons). Vet for diagnosis & treatment. Immature female sakers are the commonest trichomoniasis cases in Gulf clinics (Oct-Mar). |
| Identification features | Brown back (adult often with pale barring), pale/whitish crown and head, faint thin moustache, streaked underparts; tail with oval pale spots; wingtips fall short of tail tip; juvenile darker, heavier streaked, cere/feet bluish-grey turning yellow as adult. |
Origin: Central Asia, Mongolia and Eastern Europe — Scientific name: Falco cherrug
Size: Male 730-990 g, female 970-1300 g
Breeding and care tips
The traditional Arab houbara falcon and national bird of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others. Heat-tolerant with long-chase stamina. Colour classes (white, blond, red, ash'al, adham, black sinjari, green) are traditional falconer names with no studied inheritance. Endangered (IUCN), so captive-bred birds are preferred.
Description
Brown to sandy blond with a streaked breast, often a pale head and a thin moustache.
Need the exact date? Use the egg hatch calculator and the weaning age chart.
Related species
- Gyrfalcon
- Peregrine falcon
- Barbary falcon
- Lanner falcon
- Laggar lugger falcon
- Prairie falcon
- Aplomado falcon
- Merlin
Frequently asked questions
How long do Saker falcon eggs take to hatch?
Saker falcon eggs hatch after 32-36 days of incubation.
How many eggs does a Saker falcon lay?
Usually 3-5 (2-6) eggs per clutch.
When do Saker falcon chicks leave the nest?
Chicks fledge at about 45-50 days old.
When are Saker falcon chicks weaned?
They are weaned and independent at about 75-95 days.
What is the Saker falcon breeding season?
Wild: lays late March-April (C. Europe/C. Asia). Captive: eggs March-April; Gulf farms (climate controlled) often Feb-March; natural pairs and AI both used.
How do you tell a male Saker falcon from a female?
Reverse size dimorphism: female ~1/3 heavier (falconers: falcon vs tiercel; Gulf: "tabaa" for the male peregrine, "qarmousha" or "wakri" for the male saker). Chicks and hybrids: DNA (feather/blood) is reliable; size alone overlaps between species and hybrids. Gulf size classes: "hurr" (full size) = female; "mathlouth" = mid-size; "wakri" (Qatar/Saudi) or "qarmousha" (UAE) = male.
How long does a Saker falcon live?
About 15-20 years with good care.