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 the World, Captive-Bred Dobrudja Hamsters Are Released into the Wild

Jun 11, 2025

“HIGH AND SAFE” – PIGEON SPORT WITH A COMMITMENT TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Jun 10, 2025

Green Balkans Team Presented “Life for the Falcon” Project Activities at the National Sheep Breeders’ Fair

Jun 06, 2025

BSPB Celebrated Natura 2000 Day in Persina Nature Park

May 30, 2025

Participation of NLOA-BFHA, BSPB, and Green Balkans at BATA AGRO 2025 – Supporting the Conservation of the Saker Falcon

May 28, 2025

The Life for the Falcon project was presented to hunters in the Dylgopol region

May 21, 2025

Eyes on the Wings: A Simple but Effective Innovation Benefiting Pigeon Fanciers and Wildlife in Bulgaria

May 08, 2025

The "Life for Falcons“ Project Team of Green Balkans Took Part in the "Bulgarian Seed" Festival in Sevlievo

May 05, 2025

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.