Laggar falcon

The Laggar Falcon, also known as the Jugger, is a medium-sized bird of prey native to the Indian subcontinent. It can be found from southeastern Iran, through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, extending as far as northwestern Myanmar. Resembling the Lanner Falcon, the Laggar Falcon is generally darker and characterized by distinctive blackish "trousers" on its leg feathers. Juvenile Laggar Falcons are predominantly dark underneath, and even as they mature, subadults retain some dark belly markings.

This falcon belongs to the hierofalcon group, a cluster of falcons known for their complex genetics. Within this group, hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting have been observed, making DNA analysis particularly challenging. Scientists believe the Laggar Falcon diverged from an African ancestor and migrated to its current habitats via the Arabian Peninsula during the Eemian interglacial period, approximately 130,000 to 115,000 years ago.

Historically, Laggar Falcons were quite common throughout their range. However, their population has significantly decreased due to increased pesticide use and trapping for falconry. Nowadays, encountering one is a rare occurrence. This decline highlights the urgent need for focused conservation efforts to ensure these magnificent birds do not vanish from our skies.