The laggar falcon, or Falco jugger, is a medium-sized bird of prey which belongs to the family falconidae. It is found in India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Also called lugger falcon or jugger, this raptor weighs about 850 gms and has a wingspan of 110 cm. It is dark brown or gray on the top of the wings and back and has a paler face, throat and underside. The chest is striated and it has solid brown legs. It appears slender due to its long wings and tail. Its call is a loud ‘we-ee-ee’.
It prefers to inhabit open areas, dry woodlands and open country near human settlements and cultivation. It feeds on birds, small mammals and lizards. It is a non-migratory bird, preferring to reside all year round in the same region. It is conspicuously absent from South India.
This raptor uses the stick nests and holes of other birds for breeding. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 5 reddish-brown speckled eggs and the incubation period is about a month. Did you know that a baby laggar falcon is called an ‘eyas’?
This falcon is listed under ‘Near Threatened’ in the IUCN Red List. It was once the most widespread raptor in its range, but its numbers have declined drastically over the years due to human interference, use of pesticides and loss of habitat. This falcon is used by falconers as bait to hunt larger birds and it has correspondingly dwindled in places like Pakistan where falconry is a big sport.
Picture Credit : Google
