List of threats to Saker Falcon in Southern Ukraine

1. Illegal capture of adult birds and, to a lesser degree, nests robbing.

2. Illegal shooting of birds by hunters and pigeon breeders at the number of sites.

3. Death during migration and wintering seasons, including electrocution on power lines.

4. Lack of nesting sites at the areas with sufficient feeding resources.

5. Lack of sufficient amount of feeding resources at the number of sites, for example, dramatic decline of suslik population.

6. Breeding competition with Raven and Peregrine at those sites with shortage of nests (power lines) and nesting niches (rocks and cliffs).

7. Predation by Imperial Eagle (rare cases).

8. Severe weather conditions. Rainy and misty weather lasting for several days during breeding and hatching can affect birds’ hunting. As a result, lack of feeding resources causes death of chicks. This threat is unpredictable and effects during very short period (nestling may die during 3-5 days in absence of food).