It is a fast flyer - not as fast as the Peregrine - but it's a more versatile hunter, adept at seizing a pigeon in mid-air or a rat off the ground. The Lanner often perches quite openly on dead trees in open grasslands near cliffs or ravines. The highest density of Lanners in southern Africa is found in the Lesotho mountains. There are an estimated 1 300 breeding pairs in north-eastern South Africa, over 90% of which breed in cliffs or ravines. The spectacular Lanner Gorge in northern Kruger was named by ranger Mike English after the Lanner Falcons that have been recorded in these sandstone cliffs towering above the Luvuvhu River. Mostly northern Kruger where it hunts in the Makuleke and Pafuri open woodlands and nests in the gorges of the Luvuvhu River but can be seen anywhere in the Park. Small, robust falcon with dark upperparts and white chest with fine, rufous bars similar to larger Lanner Falcon but has black forehead and crown.ĭiet almost exclusively of birds under 300g - African Black Swifts, Alpine Swifts, African Green-Pigeons, Lilac-breasted Rollers, starlings and sparrows. There is a confirmed Peregrine breeding site in the Lanner Gorge cliffs along the Luvuvhu upstream from the bridge. The study claimed it had a poor strike rate relative to other raptors, and that only 7.5% of attacks made by the Peregrine resulted in a kill, compared to the 90% success rate of Ospreys. Research cited in Roberts VII indicates, however, that the Peregrine Falcon may sometimes fly too fast for its own good. Respected researchers like Peter Steyn believe it is able 'to capture prey with little difficulty and there are long periods of inactivity when it merely loafs about on its favourite cliff. There is also a debate as to how effective a hunter the Peregrine is. Conventional wisdom holds that its diving speed is around 240km/h. Various studies show that the falcon diving in its spectacular stoop attained speeds of between 160km/h at the lower end of the range and 410km/h at the top end. Researchers trying to determine how fast Peregrines can fly have come up with a range of results. The Peregrine is a specialist bird-killer and the subject of ongoing debates about how fast it can fly and whether or not there is a resident population in Kruger. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)Ī sighting of the fastest bird in the world is a rare and rewarding experience that can happen anywhere in Kruger. Sometimes they touch bills or 'kiss' in flight". There is much aerial 'play' involved and the male chases the female, who will turn and present her talons to him. ![]() Peter Steyn describes how Peregrine courtship displays include "high circling, undulating dives, looping-the-loop and figure of eight patterns. Peregrine Falcons do a mean line in love - partners stay together for life (although if one dies, it is soon replaced). Those who have the good fortune to have seen Peregrines in their aerial courtship manoeuvres say the display is more thrilling than the rarity of the sighting. Most are migrants from Eurasia where they congregate in flocks numbering hundreds or thousands of individuals, dispersing as they get to their summer feeding grounds in southern Africa. Whereas falcons tend to swoop, kestrels hover. ![]() ![]() Kestrels are similar to falcons but are smaller and have less impressive hunting techniques.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |