Life for Falcons

About the project

The project ‘Securing the recovery of the endangered Saker Falcon in Bulgaria and Southern Romania’ is dedicated to the restoration and conservation of the endangered species Falco Cherrug in 28 Natura 2000 areas.
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds is the coordinating beneficiary of the project in partnership with Green Balkans, Romanian Ornithological Society, Union of Hunters and Anglers in Bulgaria, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian at Academy of Sciences, The Habitat Foundation, and Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.
The project Securing the recovery of the endangered Saker Falcon in Bulgaria and Southern Romania (LIFE20 NAT/BG/001162) is of 5 years duration and has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union.

Our news

For the first time in Bulgaria, the endemic Romanian hamster species has been successfully bred

Dec. 03, 2024

In search of Saker Falcon chicks

Nov. 19, 2024

International workshop on nature crimes investigation was held in Stara Zagora

Nov. 06, 2024

From Kestrels to Sakers in over 20,000 shots

Oct. 22, 2024

We celebrated World migratory bird day with a lecture on Saker falcon

Oct. 16, 2024

Interesting observation made by the field project team of Green Balkans

Oct. 15, 2024

Conservationists and Racing Pigeon Community in Bulgaria Join Efforts to Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict

Oct. 04, 2024

Installation of the artificial nests for Saker falcons continues in Southern Bulgaria

Oct. 02, 2024

The Saker Falcon

The Saker falcon is a large powerful falcon, slightly bigger in size in comparison with the Peregrine falcon. The body length is between 47-55 cm, the wingspan is 105-129 cm; the tail length is 16-26 cm; weight 730-1150g. Sexes have similar plumage but females are ca. 15% larger and 40% heavier than males.
The plumage is brown above and streaked below with a paler head and whitish supercilia (eyebrow). It has a relatively small head on broad-chested, though long and otherwise slender body with long wings and long tail. In flight the silhouette is similar to the Peregrine but is with rather broad wings with blunt tips.

Small mammals

The conservation of the Saker Falcon will rely on multi-sided holistic approach in which breeding and reintroducing small mammals, such as the European Souslik and Romanian Hamster which are key prey species for the falcon, has an important part.