Falconry Guide - Enforcement Edition

The CITES Identification Guide
to Falconry Species
Enforcement Edition
The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species:
Enforcement Edition
A Guide for Customs, Border Control
and Wildlife Law Enforcement Personnel
Confidential - For Law Enforcement Purposes Only

Produced by the CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force
and the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate, Environment Canada
An initiative of Environment Canada

and
CITES Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland, www.cites.org
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
CITES guide to falconry species [electronic resource] =

Guide d’identification CITES des espèces utilisées en fauconnerie. – Enforcement ed.
Electronic monograph in PDF and HTML format.

Text in English and French.
Issued also on CD-ROM.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-662-05871-7
Cat. no.: CW66-203/3-2008-PDF
1. Falcons – Identification.
2. Falconry – Handbooks, manuals, etc.
3. Endangered species – Handbooks, manuals, etc.
4. Wildlife conservation (International law).
I. Canada. Environment Canada
II. Title: Guide d’identification CITES des espèces utilisées en fauconnerie. – Éd. de l’application de
la loi
QL696.F34C57 2008 598.9’6 C2008-980247-0E
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2009.
Table of contents
The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species: Enforcement Edition
Falcons: Illegal Trade Information

The CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A Brief History of Falconry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Trends in the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Illegal Trade in Falcons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Stage 1 – The Removal of the Bird from the Wild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Stage 2 – Illicit Cross-border Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CITES permit and certificate checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Smuggling and concealment techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Courier profile and behaviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Fraud and smuggling associated with diplomats or hunting trips . . . . 14
Smuggling routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Smuggling entry and transit points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Stage 3 – The Sale and Delivery of the Bird to the Falconer . . . . . . . . . 17
Prices for falcons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Trader profile and behaviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Species represented in this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
How to use this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Identification of wild caught and captive bred specimens . . . . . . . . . ii
Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Falco spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Accipiter spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Falco spp. Quick Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Species Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Juveniles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Hybrids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17i
The CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force
CITES Enforcement Task Forces were first established by the Conference

of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2000. Task forces bring together law
enforcement and other relevant experts to collate information on species-
specific illegal wildlife trade. Task forces prepare guidance on the targeting
of illicit trade, assist in the development of training or other guidance material,
and establish a network to assist in the communication of intelligence and
the collaboration and coordination of cross-border investigations.
The CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force consists of a group of experts on

falcons, falconry and wildlife law enforcement, nominated by the following
countries: Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Qatar,
the Russian Federation, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The work of CITES Enforcement Task Forces is coordinated and facilitated

by the CITES Secretariat. Interpol and the World Customs Organization are
advised of task force activities.
A Brief History of Falconry
The capture, keeping, training of, and hunting with falcons, eagles and hawks
have taken place in various parts of the world for many centuries. Although
a variety of bird species may be used, such activities are commonly described
under the term ‘falconry’. A description of the main species involved will be
found later in this guide.
Originally intended as a means of hunting to gather food for the bird’s keeper
and his or her family, falconry is now mainly a sport or pastime. Although
it is popular in many countries, there is a particularly strong tradition of
falconry in parts of central Asia and in the Middle East. In the Middle East,
it was once very common for birds to be captured from the wild, trained for
a season’s hunting between autumn and spring, and then released again into
the wild at the end of the hunting season. This tradition persists in several
countries. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, there is a practice to
transport large numbers of birds that were of wild origin to countries such
as Pakistan for their release back to the wild as part of a major conservation
project. There is now, however, very little capture of birds from the wild in
1
the Middle East (it is illegal in most countries) and the majority of falconers
from this region purchase their birds from local dealers or dealers based in
central Asia, Europe or North America.
CITES regulates the trade in falcons, both those taken from the wild and those
bred in captivity. Many wild populations of some falcon species, such as the
saker falcon (Falco cherrug), have fallen dramatically in numbers in recent
years for a variety of reasons, including loss of habitat, deliberate persecution,
accidental poisoning by pesticides, unsustainable harvest, illegal trade and
unregulated trade. Illegal trade is regarded as a very significant threat to some
species, with the risk that some populations may become extinct.
Trends in the Trade
There is currently a growing tendency for falconers to purchase captive-bred

birds. Many of the facilities that breed birds of prey in large numbers are
located in Europe and North America, although such facilities are also
becoming more common in countries such as Kazakhstan and the Russian
Federation, as well as in the Middle East.
Several captive-breeding facilities that engage in breeding birds of prey for

commercial purposes are listed in the following section of the CITES website:
http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/registers.shtml
Because large falcons are generally preferred by falconers, females, which

are generally a third larger than males, are more often in trade. Peregrine
(Falco peregrinus) specimens are some of the most desirable birds for falconry
worldwide, and some buyers perceive Scottish
Potential fraud may be specimens to be of high quality. Gyrfalcon
perpetrated by under-reporting (Falco rusticolus), especially the white morph,
the value of the falcon. is the most highly prized by falconers in the
Middle East.
The price of a falconry bird can range from $200 to $330,000 USD. High
prices are paid for rare falcons like the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). Potential
fraud may be perpetrated by under-reporting the value of the specimen.
2
Despite the trend toward captive-bred birds, some falconers prefer wild-caught
birds, and consider captive-bred birds to be inferior. This may inspire suppliers
to smuggle wild birds, or to take birds illegally
The fact that some falconers prefer
from the wild and launder them as captive bred
wild birds gives suppliers incentive in order to evade wildlife protection laws. There
to smuggle wild birds, or to take birds is a lucrative illegal trade supplying certain
illegally from the wild and launder Middle East falconers with protected species,
than as captive bred. especially with peregrine, saker (Falco cherrug)
and gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). The mortality
rate of illegally traded birds is very high. Many smugglers seem to be foreigners
operating outside of their home country. For example, foreign falcon smugglers
have been apprehended operating in China, Mongolia, the U.K. (especially
Scotland), Canada and the Russian Federation.
The Illegal Trade in Falcons
There are commonly three stages in the illegal trade in wild falcons:
1. the removal of the bird from the wild;
2. the illicit cross-border movement of the bird; and
3. the sale or delivery of the bird to the falconer.
Stages 1 and 3 are likely to be violations of national law, whilst stage 2 violates
national law and CITES. The same individual will not necessarily be involved
in all three stages. Indeed, there may be one or more people involved at each
stage. For example, the person who removes the bird from the wild may sell it
to someone in the same country. The second person may arrange for a courier
to smuggle it to another country. The courier may deliver it to a fourth person,
who then sells it to the falconer who will use it for hunting. It is very likely that
the first four persons in this illegal ‘chain’ will know that they are engaged in a
criminal activity. However, the last person in the chain, the falconer, may not
be aware that he or she is purchasing something of an illegal origin.
This guide seeks to provide information that will enable law enforcement
officials to target those who engage in the illegal trade in falcons, especially
those engaged in stages 1 and 2. The CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force
has not been able to gather information from all countries affected by illegal
trade in falcons and, so, the information in the guide should not be regarded
as exhaustive.
3
It is recommended that law enforcement and border control officials contact

their national CITES Management Authority for further advice, assistance and
information. The contact details for such authorities can be found at:
http://www.cites.org/common/directy/e_directy.html
Stage 1 – The Removal of the Bird from the Wild
The illegal harvest may be speculative or may be conducted ‘to order’ with
particular species, sex, size or colour of bird being targeted. Falcons may be
harvested as eggs, chicks, fledglings or adult birds.
The following may indicate suspicious persons or behaviour or may assist in

identifying those engaged in the illegal harvest of birds:
• Visitors to remote regions not normally associated with tourism, which are
falcon habitats.
• The use of high-standard vehicles, such as 4x4 motor cars. In some cases this
has extended to the hire of helicopters.
• Possession of global positioning system (GPS) equipment (which may be
programmed with nest site locations) or topographical maps.
• Possession of climbing or mountaineering equipment which may be used to
access nest sites on cliffs.
• Possession of binoculars, bird guidebooks or other ornithological literature.
• Possession of portable incubators or insulated containers (for the storage of
eggs).
• Possession of hoods, strips of cloth, bandages or other materials for covering
the heads of falcons, binding their wings, and binding their feet/talons.
Possession of cotton wool or other similar material for wrapping and
protecting eggs or chicks.
• Possession of drugs or alcohol for tranquillizing birds.
• Possession of live pigeons or other small birds to use as decoys to trap adult
birds. String or ropes and stakes to ‘pin’ live birds to the ground to act as
decoys. Loops of string or thin rope or nets to entangle the feet of falcons
when used with decoys. ‘Waistcoats’ (with loops attached) that are intended
to be ‘worn’ by the decoy birds.
• Possession of leg rings for marking birds.
4
• Possession of empty holdall or ‘sports’-type bags, cardboard boxes, or other

containers to transport birds after trapping. Look for ventilation holes in
boxes and other containers.
• The most likely timing of illegal collection activities is during the nesting
season (which will differ depending on the part of the world) and in the
approach to the start of the hunting season (also the main trading time)
which is usually September-October.
• Although local persons may engage in trapping or may assist in trapping,
foreign nationals may also be present, with persons from Pakistan and Syria
having often been encountered in some European and Asian range countries
in the past.
• Person engaged in the removal of birds from the wild may have bribed
government officials to obtain a harvest licence or permission.
• Such people may use the ‘cover’ of being engaged in scientific research or
population surveys to access nest sites and falcon habitats. This may be used
to engage in illegal harvest or to obtain information for illegal harvest at a
later time or to pass information to associates who will engage in the illegal
harvest.
• Such people may be in possession of CITES permits (which could be partly
completed). The possession of partly completed CITES documents is very
suspicious.
Pigeon harness used to trap falcons. These harnesses are attached to pigeons; a falcon
seeing the pigeon as prey attacks and becomes entangled in the strings on the bird’s back.
5
Before and after removal from the wild

The following places may be associated with the illegal removal from the wild of
falcons and places where they may be stored or traded prior to their illicit cross-
border movement. These lists are not intended to be exhaustive and the absence
of an area or place from the list does not necessarily mean it is not connected
with illegal trade in falcons.
For illegal harvest:

• Canada – Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) habitat occurs mostly in the north:
Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Peregrine falcon
(Falco peregrinus) habitat can be found across the country.
• China – Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia
• Kazakhstan – Alma’ata, eastern Kazakhstan, Karagauda and Dzhambul
regions
• Kyrgyzstan
• Mongolia – Sukh Baatar, Bayan Khongor, Dundgobi, Golei-Altai, Khentii,
Dornad, and Central Laukhan
• Russian Federation – Altai, Baikal
For collection, storage or sale prior to export:

• Kazakhstan – Alma’ata, Tarau and Chimkent
• Mongolia – Ulaanbaatar city
• Pakistan – Peshawar
• Russian Federation – Moscow, Novosibirsk, Kazan, St. Petersburg and Sochi
• Ukraine – Kiev, Harkov and Odessa
6
Stage 2 – Illicit Cross-border Movement
The cross-border movement of falcons is usually accomplished by one of two

methods:
1. Fraud; or
2. Smuggling.
Fraud will usually involve the use of CITES permits or certificates. Such frauds
can take a variety of forms.
• The CITES document may be genuine but it may have been obtained
corruptly.
• The CITES document may be genuine but it may have been acquired by
someone providing false information to the national Management Authority.
• The CITES document may be genuine but the falcon does not match
the bird that has been authorized for movement. For example, the false
declaration of a falcon as having been bred in captivity, when it has actually
been illegally harvested from the wild. This type of fraud is relatively
common.
• The CITES document is genuine but it has subsequently been altered.
The species may have been changed, the number of birds authorized to
be moved may have been changed, or the information regarding the bird(s)
to be moved may have been changed.
• The document is a forgery of or a counterfeit CITES permit or certificate.
• The document bears no likeness to a CITES permit or certificate but is
claimed to authorize cross-border movement.
The detection of a fraudulent CITES permit or certificate may not be easy. The
CITES Secretariat recommends that border control staff and other officials who
may be expected to regularly check CITES documents and wildlife shipments,
have access to the following (most of this information can also be found on the
CITES website – www.cites.org).
A) The CITES Directory, which provides details of all CITES Management and
Scientific Authorities and of the authorities that non-Parties have notified to
the Secretariat as being competent to issue comparable documents.
7
B) A copy of the Convention and the most recent edition of Appendices I and
II and Appendix III.
C) Current Resolutions of the Conference of the Parties to CITES. Resolution
Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP14) relates specifically to permits and certificates but
reference will also have to be made to others, such as trade with non-Parties
(Resolution Conf. 9.5 (Rev. CoP14)), definition of primarily commercial
purposes (Resolution Conf. 5.10), pre-Convention specimens (Resolution
Conf. 13.6).
D) Copies of valid Notifications to the Parties, especially those relating to export
quotas and registered breeding operations. Notifications relating to such
subjects as lost or stolen security stamps, stricter domestic measures and
other specific aspects of trade will also be of use; the Secretariat recommends
the creation of a file in which valid Notifications relating to permit work
can be stored and kept to hand.
E) A current copy of the Checklist of CITES Species.
CITES permit and certificate checklist

The CITES Secretariat recommends that the following questions be used as a
form of checklist when reviewing permits and certificates:
Original Copy of CITES permit

➥ Is it an original?
Is it clear whether the document is an export permit, import permit,
re-export certificate or other form of certificate? Is it appropriate to the
type of transaction proposed?
➥ Does the document match the specimen document of the issuing country?
The permit was not modified after it was issued

➥ Ifthere is any alteration, modification, or crossing-out on the document,
has it been authenticated by a stamp and signature of the issuing authority?
The date of the CITES permit has not expired

➥ Isthe permit valid for a period of time no longer than 6 months after the
permit’s issuing date?
8
The permit contains no errors or omissions

➥ Is the document in one of the three working languages of the Convention
(English, French or Spanish)?
➥ Is the Appendix number specified?
➥ Have the names and addresses of the exporter and importer been given in
sufficient detail?
➥ What is the purpose of the transaction? Is it in accordance with the
Convention? For example, an import permit authorizing commercial
trade in a wild-caught Appendix I animal would be invalid.
➥ Is the source of the specimen(s) specified? Is it compatible with the
proposed purpose of the transaction?
➥ If the source is given as ‘W’ (wild) on an export permit, is the
issuing country a range State?
➥ Are quota details given? Does the quota correspond to the details given
in the Notification to the Parties or on the CITES website?
➥ If it is a re-export certificate, have the details of the previous
re-export certificate or export permit been quoted (date, number
and country of issuance)?
➥ If the transaction involves live animals, does the document contain
a statement that they must be transported in accordance with
CITES/IATA guidelines and regulations?
The CITES permit is signed by the official CITES authority

➥ Is the issuing authority listed in the CITES Directory?
➥ Does the signature appear to be that of an authorized person
(if known)?
The permit displays a CITES stamp

➥ Is the issuing authority’s stamp or seal on the document?
➥ If the issuing authority uses security stamps, is there a stamp on the
document? Has it been cancelled by a signature and stamp or seal?
Is the security stamp number correctly quoted on the document?
9
The description of the shipment is in compliance (number and species)

➥ Have the scientific names of the species been given?
➥ Is the quantity of the specimens specified?
➥ If the transaction involves live animals, does the document contain a
statement that they must be transported in accordance with CITES/IATA
guidelines and regulations?
Verifying these elements will help you decide if the document is valid or
suspicious. If it appears that a simple typographical or administrative error has
taken place and there is otherwise no suspicion of fraud, then contact should
be made with the issuing authority to resolve the issue.
Some countries use ‘falcon passports’ instead of CITES permits or certificates

to authorize the movement of falcons when they are personal effects being
moved by or for the owner. The passport will contain similar information to
what would be recorded on a CITES permit or certificate, and the verification
procedure is much the same. The passport should be inspected and endorsed
by border control staff as the falconer and the bird enter and leave the country.
A passport is required for each bird that is being moved.
Examples of a falcon passport issued by Qatar
10
It is essential that border control staff carefully inspect all documents presented
by persons travelling with falcons, or documents that accompany shipments of
falcons, to deter and detect fraud. Any bird that does not have some form of
marking, e.g., a microchip (usually found in the side of the bird’s breast) or leg
ring, should be regarded with suspicion. The number on the ring or microchip
must match the number that is recorded on the permit, certificate or passport.
If leg rings are used, ‘closed’ rings are preferable. These are rings that cannot
be opened and that have been fitted around the leg
Any bird that does not have some of the bird when it was very young. However, it is
form of marking, e.g., a microchip important to bear in mind that these bands may
or leg ring, should be regarded be recycled on chicks and eggs harvested from the
with suspicion. wild. Furthermore, some smuggler gangs, especially
those from countries that were part of the former
U.S.S.R., have begun to use rings which are welded shut in an attempt to
imitate the closed seamless bands. These fraudulent rings can be very easily
mistaken for original rings as the welding technique is almost perfect. The
seam of the welded rings can only be seen with the aid of a magnifying glass.
It is equally important to ensure that any falcon that has been imported to a
country for falconry purposes, whether using a permit, certificate or passport,
and is subsequently being re-exported
(probably back to the owner’s usual
country of residence), is the same bird
that entered the country. Movements
of personally owned birds may be used
as a ‘cover’ to acquire birds from the
wild or birds of better quality, the
original bird having been released into
the wild or otherwise disposed of.
If you do not feel confident to handle

the falcon to inspect its mark, ask the
falconer to hold it while you do so or
call for assistance from a veterinary
inspector or other suitable person.
Closed ring (ruler in centimeters) Careful inspection of birds and
accompanying documents is vital
to combating illegal trade.
11
Smuggling as a method for the illicit cross-border movement of falcons has

many of the characteristics associated with other forms of such criminal activity,
whether the goods being moved are narcotics, firearms or wildlife. A high
mortality rate among smuggled falcons is common. Some particular features
have been noted regarding the smuggling of falcons, and the following may
assist in risk assessment and profiling.
Smuggling and concealment techniques

• Smugglers may carry eggs in insulated containers or hidden in or under
clothing.
• Smugglers may wear a specially prepared waistcoat or vest, with multiple
pockets for eggs, under their clothing.
• Birds may be wrapped in clothes inside luggage.
• Birds may be concealed under the clothing of the traveller.
• Both checked-in and carry-on luggage may be used.
• Carry-on luggage is often the ‘holdall’ or ‘sports’-type bag.
• Pet animal containers designed for airline use may be used and may contain
‘hidden’ compartments.
• Cardboard boxes or other containers with holes for ventilation may be used.
Such containers may be covered with thin cloth to hide the holes.
• Birds may be concealed in the toilet of an aircraft (perhaps by aircraft
maintenance staff).
• Beaks may be taped closed.
• Talons may be taped together.
• Birds may have been doped or given alcohol.
• Birds may be fitted with false rings or rings taken from birds of legal origin.
Examine rings closely for signs of interference.
• Sometimes significant quantities may be smuggled, e.g., 47 falcons in
one suitcase.
• The birds are usually accompanied by the smuggler(s) or a courier.
• If detected, the courier may claim the birds are not species of falcon.
• Smuggled falcons are seldom mixed with other forms of wildlife.
12
• Most seizures are detected from commercial airline flights, and smuggling in
baggage is the most common method. Asian national airline companies are
most common. However, chartered or privately owned aircraft may be used
for large shipments.
Courier profile and behaviour

• The courier may have been recruited just to smuggle the one shipment or
he or she may be highly experienced and knowledgeable.
• The courier may be responsible for several shipments at one time (birds or
eggs in clothing, carry-on luggage, checked-in baggage, and containers in
aircraft hold shipped as unaccompanied cargo). Ensure that all his or her
luggage is inspected.
• If a courier suspects discovery, he or she may abandon the birds in toilets,
or in other areas in the airport of arrival or may fail to reclaim baggage
containing birds.
• If detected, couriers may claim the luggage is not their property or may claim
they were asked to carry bags for someone else without knowing the contents.
• The courier may produce false or falsified CITES documents.
• The courier may produce genuine CITES documents, which would have
been re-used if not challenged. This is an important feature to watch for.
A courier may obtain a genuine CITES permit or certificate but will only
present it for inspection if challenged. If he or she is not challenged, the
same document can be held in reserve during many smuggling operations
(throughout the period of validity of the document) and, thus, the courier
may engage in repeated cross-border movements, potentially smuggling many
birds. If the courier is never challenged during the period of the document’s
validity, it may then be possible for the courier to claim that the permit or
certificate was never used and apply for a new permit. With a new document,
and a new period of validity, the courier can start smuggling again.
• The courier may have bribed officials to obtain CITES documents.
• The courier may have bribed border control officials earlier in the journey
and may attempt to bribe others.
13
Fraud and smuggling associated with diplomats or hunting trips

It is important to note that there is no diplomatic or crown immunity from
the Convention. A diplomat, king, prince or sheikh must be in possession of
the appropriate permit, certificate or passport if falcons are being moved across
international borders.
Falcons moved across borders, particularly for hunting purposes, cannot be

regarded as being ‘diplomatic baggage’. Falcons can be treated as the personal
effects of a diplomat only if they are being moved from or to his usual country
of residence and his place of mission.
Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Optional

Protocols indicates that baggage and articles are not exempt from inspection
when… “the import or export of (the baggage or articles) is prohibited by
the law or controlled by the quarantine regulations of the receiving State”.
Article 41 of the same Convention states… “it is the duty of all persons
enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations
of the receiving State.”
Consequently, falcons moved illicitly by diplomats are liable to seizure. National

legislation would need to be considered, however, before determining whether
any diplomat involved in violations could be prosecuted.
It is known that some falconers, sometimes having diplomatic or crown

status, engage in hunting trips where large numbers of birds may be moved,
perhaps using chartered, private or military aircraft, from one country to
another for hunting purposes. Hunting camps may be established in the
country of destination where sometimes large numbers of falconers, and their
staff, may reside for several days. Not all such flights may land, or take off
from, commercial airports that are routinely staffed by Customs, veterinary,
quarantine or other border control staff. Such activities may violate CITES,
quarantine, hunting and other legislation but may be known to, and perhaps
tolerated by, senior figures in the government of the country of destination.
Such flights, and the associated hunting activities, should be subjected to the
normal controls and no exemption from national legislation or CITES exists.
14
Smuggling routes
The following places may be associated with falcon smuggling. Again, these lists
are not intended to be exhaustive.
Smuggling exit points (range and transit States)
Ukraine: Kiev (by air), Kazakhstan: Almaty, China: Beijing, Tianjin, Urumqi, Qingdao
Odessa (by sea to Turkey) Chimkent and Karaganda (by air) (by air) but also by land border points to
and by land to Uzbekistan Kazakhstan and Pakistan
Russian Federation:
Azerbaijan: Moscow, Novosibirsk,
Baku (by air) Kazan, St. Petersburg
(by air), Sochi (by sea)
St. Petersburg
Moscow
Novosibirsk
Kiev
Karaganda
Odessa
Sochi Almaty
Chimkent
Urumqi
Beijing
Tianjin
Qingdao
Islamabad
Cairo
Karachi
Egypt: Cairo (by air) Iran Kyrgyzstan:

Airports of Bishkek,
Uzbekistan Osh and Kunt
Pakistan: Karachi and Mongolia: Bayon Olgii land crossing

Islamabad (by air) to Kazakhstan, Buyant-Ukhaa Airport
15
Smuggling entry and transit points
Syrian Arab Republic: Kuwait: Kuwait international

Damascus (by air) airport, Doha port, Al Abdali
Turkey Turkmenistan
Lebanon
Afghanistan
Isreal Iraq
Iran
Jordan
Pakistan
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Sudan
Eritrea
Yemen
Ethiopia
Qatar: Qatar international airport, United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi

Abu Samra entry point international airport, Dubai international
airport, Sharjah international airport,
Ras Al Khaimah international airport,
Fujairah international airport, Ghuweifat,
Hamriya sea port, Rashid sea port
16
Stage 3 – The Sale and Delivery of the Bird to the Falconer
Prices for falcons

With the increasing commercialism of falconry, and the captive-breeding
of falcons, the prices of falcons have risen dramatically in recent years. It
also appears that the increasing wealth of some residents of some Middle East
countries has been exploited, so that considerable profits can be achieved
by both legal and illegal traders.
The price of a bird is dictated by the species, its age, sex, size, colouring
and whether it has been trained. Prices in range States may vary from $100–
$200 USD for a young female to up to $500 USD if it is of a good size and
colouring, with $1,000 USD being regarded as top-quality and top of the
range. In countries of import, the price range is more extreme, with poor
quality and low demand producing prices as little as $200 USD. However,
an average price for a saker falcon might be $30,000 USD. In extreme cases,
a high-quality gyrfalcon could attract a price of $330,000 USD. Potential
fraud may be perpetrated by under-reporting the value of the specimen.
Trader profile and behaviour

It is difficult to be comprehensive in describing those engaged in the illegal
trade in falcons. It should also be noted that monetary profit may not always
be involved; some of the people who acquire falcons illegally do so in order to
present them as gifts to persons of high social standing, in the hope of currying
favour. The following features have been noted in relation to those engaged in
the sale and final delivery of birds to falconers.
• Usually male, although some females have been noted in China.

• Pakistan nationals in some areas.
• Not necessarily involved in illegal harvest or smuggling.
• May have links to second-hand vehicle trade in the Persian Gulf region.
17
The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species
Produced by the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate,

Environment Canada
THE CITES IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO FALCONRY SPECIES
Introduction
Species represented in this guide
Many species of falcons, hawks, and eagles are used in the sport of falconry.
The following falcon and hawk species have been included in this guide because
they are popular with falconers and, as a result, are common targets for poachers
and smugglers.
• Lanner falcon Falco biarmicus (App. II)
• Saker falcon Falco cherrug (App. II)
• Laggar falcon Falco jugger (App. I)
• Barbary falcon Falco pelegrinoides (App. I)
• Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus (App. I)
• Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus (App. I)
• Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis (App. II)
The Prairie falcon Falco mexicanus (App. II) has also been included in this guide
as it closely resembles many of the above-listed species of concern. This species
is common in falconry, but is not prominent in illegal international trade.
How to use this guide
The identification process begins with pages iv-v which will help you determine
whether your specimen is a member of the genus Falco (falcons) or the genus
Accipiter (hawks). The Accipiter page will direct you straight to photos of the
Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis. The Falco page, however, will direct you
to a range of colour photographs of various falcons. Do not try to match your
specimen with one of these photos, but rather try to find similarities of colour
pattern. Juvenile and hybrid birds, which often are found in trade, can be more
challenging to identify, so ensure that you carefully compare your specimen
to all of the photographs. Once you have selected a photo that resembles your
specimen, follow the directions below that photo to find the correct species
page. In order to successfully identify your specimen, it is important that you
take your time comparing your specimen to the photographs. Key identification
features are indicated with red arrows. It is important to recognise that there
can be considerable variation in colour and pattern within a species, so although
you should compare your specimen carefully to the photographs, be aware that
the colours may not be an exact match. It is also important to consider the size
of the specimen when making your identification.
i
Introduction
Identification of wild caught and captive bred specimens
In many jurisdictions, seamless bands are placed on the feet of falcon chicks to
identify captive-bred birds. The feet of falcon chicks grow rapidly, and within a
few days the foot will be large enough that these bands cannot be removed. The
use of these seamless bands is recognized as being an effective way of identifying
captive-bred birds.
Some jurisdictions permit the capture of wild adult birds for falconry, and these
birds may be laundered as captive bred. With proper training and a hood, wild
caught birds can become very comfortable with their handler within a week. A
bird’s temperament cannot be used as an indicator of origin.
Seamless bands (ruler cm)
ii
Introduction
Terminology
BW = Body Weight.
TL = Total Length. Measured from the top of the head to the tip of the tail.
X = When found between two scientific names, “x” indicates a hybrid.
e.g., Falco rusticolus x Falco peregrinus is a hybrid of these two species.
Upper parts: Back, scapulars, rump, tail, upper tail coverts and wing coverts,
primaries and secondaries.
Lower parts: Breast, abdomen, flank, thigh and under tail coverts.
Lesser wing coverts

Greater wing coverts
Ear coverts Crown

Nape
Cere
Back
Primary wing feathers
Neck Chin
Scapulars Cheek (with malar stripe)
Throat
Breast
Rump
Wing Coverts
Upper tail
coverts Abdomen
Flank
Secondaries
Primaries
Tail Thigh Upper parts
Under tail Tarsus

coverts Lower parts
iii
Introduction
Falco spp.
The most important feature for distinguishing a Falco spp. from other birds
of prey used in falconry is the eye colour. All Falco spp. commonly used in
falconry have irises that are dark brown to almost black.
• Size: TL 35-64 cm, BW 500-2100 g.
• Females have the same colouring as males or are slightly darker. Females can
be up to one third larger than males.
• Long, pointed wings. When the wing is extended, the second primary feather.
is the longest. When folded, the tips of the wings are almost as long as the tail.
• Nostrils are round; a tubercle is present inside the nostril.
Not a Falco spp.

35-64 cm
Tips of wings do
not reach tip of tail
Tips of wings almost

as long as tail
Iris dark brown Cere grey or

to black blue-grey in juveniles
Small
scales
Round
nostril
with
tubercle
Sharp tomial Long

tooth middle
toe
Malar strip
(sometimes absent)
To Falco spp. Quick Key page 1
iv
Introduction
Accipiter spp.
Accipiter spp. are also commonly used in falconry.
• Size: TL 48-68 cm, BW 517-1170 g.
• Shorter wings than Falco spp.
• Nostrils are oval shaped, and lack a tubercle.
• Tips of wings do not reach tip of tail.
• Iris colour is gold to red.
Not an Accipiter spp.

48-68 cm
Tips of wings almost

as long as tail
Tips of wings do
not reach tip of tail
Iris gold to red Large

scales
Oval
nostril
Rounded
tomial tooth
To Accipiter gentilis page 11
v
Introduction
Symbols
Detain and refer to an expert
Male
Female
vi
FALCO Spp. QUICK KEY
• reddish-brown head • dark upper parts

• narrow malar stripe • wide malar stripe
• grey upper parts 2 3 4 5
• large falcon (TL 48-60 cm) • large falcon (TL 48-60 cm)
• dark upper parts, head • predominantly white
streaked with white
6 7 8
• large falcon (TL 48-60 cm) • brown upper parts

• predominantly dark upper • brown to pale lower parts
and lower parts
9 10
1
SPECIES Descriptions
Falco biarmicus – Lanner Falcon, Appendix II

back blue-grey,
reddish-brown head dark malar stripe with light bars
barred tail Adult
Size: TL 35-50 cm Countries of import: U.K., U.S.A.

BW male 500-600 g Countries of export/re-export:
BW female 700-900 g Germany, European Union countries,
Subspecies: F. b. feldeggii, F. b. erlangeri, Guinea, Canada, U.K.
F. b. tanypterus, F. b. abyssinicus, Purpose: Majority commercial, also
F. b. biarmicus captive breeding programs and personal.
Range: North Africa and the Middle Source: Majority captive bred, many wild
East, in stony semi-desert and desert. caught as well.
ID:
• reddish-brown head (may be mixed For juveniles of this species, see page 12
with white)
• barred tail
• back blue-grey, with horizontal stripes
• dark malar stripe
Similar species: F. jugger, F. pelegrinoides
2
Falco jugger – Lagger Falcon, Appendix I

reddish-brown head grey upper parts
light eyebrow
tail NOT
barred
Adult
Size: TL 35-46 cm Trade: Legal global trade is comparatively

BW 525-850 g small.
Subspecies: N/A Countries of import: U.K., Canada,
Range: India and neighbouring countries. European countries.
ID: Countries of export/re-export:
• reddish-brown head Germany, U.K., Switzerland.
• tail not barred Purpose: Commercial, personal captive
• grey upper parts breeding, unknown.
Similar species: F. biarmicus, Source: Majority captive bred.
F. pelegrinoides
For juveniles of this species, see page 12
3
Falco peregrinus – Peregrine, Shaheen, Appendix I

dark cap blue-grey back
wide malar
stripe
blue-grey
coloration on
lighter parts
Adult
Size: TL 34-50 cm Similar species: F. pelegrinoides

BW male 580-720 g (average 610 g) Trade: Legal global trade increased in
BW female 860-1090 g (average 940 g) the 1980s, and is still high. Scandinavian
Subspecies: F. p. anatum, F. p. tundrius, countries mainly trading eggs for captive
F. p. pealei, F. p. cassini, F. p. japonensis, breeding programs, reintroduction and
F. p. fruitii, F. p. calidus, F. p. peregrinus, scientific purposes.
F. p. brookei, F. p. madens, F. p. minor, Countries of import: Denmark, Germany,
F. p. radama, F. p. peregrinator, F. p. ernesti, Sweden, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.),
F. p. nesiotes, F. p. macropus U.K., U.S.A.
Range: Global, except Antarctica.
Countries of export/re-export: Austria,
ID: Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden.
• back blue-grey Purpose: Commercial, personal, captive
• dark cap with wide malar stripe breeding, scientific, and undeclared.
• lower parts have dark horizontal stripes
on pale background Source: Majority captive bred.
4
Falco pelegrinoides – Barbary Falcon, Appendix I

reddish-brown back light
dark cap on neck blue-grey
wide malar
stripe
yellowish
Adult
Size: TL 33-44 cm Similar species: F. peregrinus, F. biarmicus,

BW male 500-600 g F. jugger
BW female 700-900 g Countries of import: Canada, Mexico,
Subspecies: F. p. babylonicus, U.K. and U.S.A.
F. p. pelegrinoides Countries of export/re-export: Austria,
Range: North Africa and the Middle East, Bahrain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E.
in stony semi-desert and desert. and U.S.A.
ID: Purpose: Commercial, personal, captive
• back light blue-grey breeding programs and scientific.
• reddish-brown nape Source: Majority captive bred.
• dark cap with wide malar stripe
Difference from F. peregrinus:
• body slimmer
• chest and abdomen lighter and yellowish
• malar stripe not as dark as F. peregrinus
• F. peregrinus with more contrast on chest
and abdomen
5
Falco cherrug – Saker Falcon, Appendix II

head streaked with white brown upper parts
white oval spots sometimes

forming bars on tail
Adult
Size: TL 45-55 cm Trade: Legal global trade increased in the

BW male 730-990 g 1980s, peaking the late 1990s.
BW female 970-1300 g Countries of import: U.A.E. is the major
Subspecies: F. c. cherrug, F. c. milvipes, country of import. Qatar, Saudi Arabia
F. c. coatsi, F. c. hendersoni also significant.
Range: Asia and Africa. Countries of export/re-export: Major
ID: country of export is Pakistan, U.A.E. also
• large bird significant. European countries.
• head streaked with white Purpose: Majority are traded for
• brown upper parts commercial purposes, also significant
• white oval spots sometimes forming trade for personal use.
bars on tail Source: Main sources are captive bred
Similar species: F. rusticolus grey morph and wild caught.
6
Falco rusticolus (grey morph) – Gyrfalcon, Appendix I

grey upper parts
pale lower
parts
Adult
Size: TL 48-60 cm Trade: Legal global trade in F. rusticolus

BW male 961-1320 g increased in the 1990s, and appears to be
BW female 1262-2100 g on the rise.
Subspecies: N/A Countries of import: U.A.E. is the
Range: Arctic and subarctic regions of major importer, Qatar (primarily from
Europe, Asia and North America. the U.K.), U.K., Germany and U.S.A.
NOTE: This species has other colour Countries of export/re-export: Canada,
morphs. See pages 8 and 9 . Germany, U.A.E., U.K. and U.S.A.
ID: Purpose: Commercial, personal.
• grey upper parts Source: Main source on CITES permits
• pale lower parts is listed as captive bred, but there are not
• largest and heaviest of the falcons many captive breeding facilities.
Similar species: F. cherrug Juveniles:
• brown upper parts
• brown and white lower parts
For information on juveniles see page 13
7
Falco rusticolus (white morph) – Gyrfalcon, Appendix I

malar stripe head
thin or absent predominantly white
upper parts
predominantly white
lower parts
predominantly white
Predominantly
white falcons
originating from
Siberia are highly
valued and often
smuggled.
Adult

Subspecies: N/A Countries of import: U.A.E. is the major
Range: Arctic and subarctic regions of importer. Qatar (primarily from the U.K.),
Europe, Asia and North America. U.K., Germany and U.S.A.
Purpose: Commercial, personal.
ID: Source: Main source on CITES permits
• upper parts predominantly white is listed as captive bred, but there are not
• lower parts and head predominantly many captive breeding facilities.
white, with some black markings
• malar stripe is very thin or missing Juveniles: Juvenile white morph F. rusticolus
has white upper and lower parts. The cere
and eye ring are grey. Legs may be blue-grey
when very young.
8
Falco rusticolus (black morph) – Gyrfalcon, Appendix I

head and upper parts
predominantly brown
lower parts
brown
ID Note:
This is a juvenile colour
morph of F. rusticolus. After
approximately 2 years, the
dark plumage will be replaced
by typical adult, grey morph
plumage (page 7).
Juvenile

Subspecies: N/A Countries of import: U.A.E. is the major
Range: Arctic and subarctic regions of importer. Qatar (primarily from the U.K.),
Europe, Asia and North America. U.K., Germany and U.S.A.
Purpose: Commercial, personal.
ID: Source: Main source on CITES permits
• all upper parts and all of head is listed as captive bred, but there are not
predominantly dark chocolate brown many captive breeding facilities.
• lower parts dark
Adults: Adults of this colour morph will
have typical adult grey morph plumage,
and yellow cere, eye-rings and legs.
9
Falco mexicanus – Prairie Falcon, Appendix II

white behind eye white stripe at nape
Adult
Size: TL 37-47 cm Trade: Falco mexicanus is not common in

BW 500-600 g illegal trade. Its plumage closely resembles
Subspecies: N/A the juvenile plumage of many other
species.
Range: Western United States and
northern Mexico.
In order to distinguish adult F. mexicanus
ID: from juveniles of other species, please
• white behind the eye refer to page 13 .
• white stripe at nape
• dark areas in “armpits”
Similar species: juveniles of F. biarmicus,
F. jugger, F. cherrug.
10
Accipiter gentilis – Northern Goshawk, Appendix II

white dark white dark
eyebrow patch eyebrow patch
European variety
North American
variety
4 tail bars Accipiter gentilis Accipiter gentilis albidus
Size: TL 48-68.5 cm Similar species: F. jugger, F. pelegrinoides

BW male 517-1170 g (average 720 g) Trade: Commonly used in falconry in
BW female 820-1509 g (average 1130 g) Europe and North America, but rarely used
Subspecies: A. g. gentilis, A. g. arrigonii, in the Middle East.
A. g. buteoides, A. g. albidus, A. g. schvedowi, Juvenile:
A. g. fujiyamae, A. g. atricapillus, A. g. laingi, • brown upper parts
A. g. marginatus, A. g. apache • lower parts reddish yellow and spotted
Range: Europe, North America and • yellow iris (chick blue-grey iris). This iris
northern Asia. will change to adult orange coloration
ID: by the 4th year.
• white eyebrow stripe
• dark patch extending from eye to ear For general Accipiter characteristics
• upper parts grey – female may be browner see page v
• lower parts pale with fine horizontal
stripes (very fine on N. American variety).
• iris orange to red (the older the bird, the
redder the colour)
• 4 wide horizontal stripes on tail
11
JUVENILES
Juvenile Falco spp.
Falco biarmicus – juvenile Falco peregrinus – juvenile
Falco jugger – juvenile Falco cherrug – juvenile
12
JUVENILES
Juvenile Falco spp.
Given that many falcons, especially Differentiation of juvenile Falco spp.

juveniles, are similar in appearance, it is
possible that a high-value specimen might F. mexicanus
be declared as some other species. Juveniles
can be very difficult to identify. If you are F. biarmicus
unable to make an identification, be sure to
F. jugger
detain the specimen and refer to an expert.
F. cherrug –
A common trait in juveniles of the genus This species will be the largest.
Falco, is the blue-grey coloration of the ring
around the eyes, the cere and sometimes They all have:
the legs. In adults these features will be – brown upper parts
yellowish. – pale under parts with varying degrees
of brown spotting or streaking
In many species, the juvenile will have – white forehead
brown upper parts, and will have lower – white eyebrow stripe
parts that are darker and more heavily – dark eye stripe and malar stripe
marked than the adult.
F. rusticolus white morph – predominantly
A mix of brown and grey plumage on the white, with brown markings.
upper parts may indicate that the specimen
is a juvenile in the process of replacing its F. rusticolus black morph – refer to page 9
brown, juvenile feathers with grey, adult
feathers. Similar Species: Adult F. mexicanus
are quite similar to the juveniles of
In the samples to the left note that Falco F. biarmicus, F jugger, and F. cherrug.
biarmicus, F. peregrinus and F. jugger all However, the adult can sometimes be
have more extensive brown coloration distinguished from these juveniles by the
on the lower parts than the adults of the presence of the yellow adult coloration
species. Falco cherrug shows yellowish feet; in the cere and the ring around the eye.
however the eye area and cere are the blue-
grey colour of a juvenile. Falco biarmicus ID Note:
displays a yellowish colour on the eye area, There is potential for juveniles of
cere and legs; however, the heavily streaked Appendix I species to be declared as
lower parts reveal it does not yet have its Appendix II species or as adult Falco
adult plumage. mexicanus. Verify the colour of the cere
and eye ring of any juveniles. Refer to
an expert.
13
HYBRIDS
Falco spp. – Hybrids
1 2
Hybrid F. rusticolus x F. cherrug juvenile Hybrid F. rusticolus (white morph)

x F. peregrinus
3 4
Hybrid F. rusticolus (grey morph) Hybrid F. rusticolus x F. pelegrinoides

x F. peregrinus
14
HYBRIDS
Falco spp. – Hybrids
Hybrids may be mistaken for one parent Example 1

or the other, or may demonstrate a vari This bird with its white head, chest and
ety of blends of parental characteristics. legs indicates white F. rusticolus genes;
Hybrids may also be bred in genetic however, the dark, densely marked back
mixtures of 50%-50%, 62.5%-37.5%, and the “caramel” markings seen on the
75%-25%, or in combinations of more wings indicate F. cherrug genes.
than two species.
Example 2
The creation of falcon hybrids using This bird displays the general colour
artificial insemination to boost size, pattern of F. peregrinus; however, the very
strength and vigour is quite common. thin malar stripe and the amount of white
Hybrids are unpredictably variable; they on the head and neck indicates a cross
may have any mixture of characteristics, with F. rusticolus. Both F. peregrinus and
and the mix is not consistent – for F. rusticolus have a white chest; however,
example, one F. rusticolus x F. peregrinus the extent of the white in this hybrid
can look very different from another. indicates the presence of F. rusticolus genes.
When identifying hybrids it is best to Example 3

compare it to the parent (or grandparent) At first glance this bird could be identified
species and then look to see if the bird has as F. rusticolus with its brownish-grey
some traits common to these species. In coloration and the markings on the lower
most cases hybrids will be a 50-50 mix. body. However, the suggestion of a thin
malar stripe, the light area around the neck,
A few tips can assist with the identification and the light breast indicate F. peregrinus
of hybrids. genes. (As well the distinct “salmon”colour
in the light areas of the neck and breast are
• If the bird is large (TL greater than distinctive to the subspecies F. peregrinus
50 cm), it likely has F. cherrug or anatum.)
F. rusticolus genes.
• Hybrids of species of different sizes Example 4
will usually result in a size between At first glance the bird has the general
the two. For example, a F. peregrinus x characteristics of F. pelegrinoides. However,
F. rusticolus will almost always be larger if you refer to page 5 , you will notice
than F. peregrinus, and smaller than the predominant malar stripe is missing.
F. rusticolus. Crossing F. pelegrinoides with a white or
light F. rusticolus has reduced the malar
• A F. rusticolus x F. pelegrinoides hybrid stripe trait considerably.
could easily weigh 200-300 grams more
than a pure F. pelegrinoides male.
15
Falco mexicanus – Prairie Falcon

Falco rusticolus – Gyrfalcon
Example of a falcon hood

Falco biarmicus – Lanner Falcon
16
INDEX
Names Scientific names Page

Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Altai Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug altaicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Altaicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug altaicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Anatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus anatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Autour des palombes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Azor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Azor común . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Barbary Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Duck Hawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Eyass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco spp. (juvénile) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Falco altaicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug altaicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Falco gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Falco kreyenborgi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Falco madens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Falco peregrinus babylonicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Faucon de Barbarie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Faucon des prairies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Faucon gerfaut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Faucon laggar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Faucon lanier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Faucon pèlerin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Faucon sacre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Gavilàn azor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Gerfalke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gerfaucon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gerfaut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Goshawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Greenland Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
17
INDEX

Gyr Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gyrfalcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gyrkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gyrperegrine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus x Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Gyrsaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus x Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Gyrshaheen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus x Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Habicht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Halcón blancuzco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Halcón borní . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Halcón común . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Halcón de Berberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Halcón de la praderas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Halcón gerifalte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Halcón mejicano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Halcón peregrino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Halcón peregrino de Babilonica . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Halcón pradeño . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Halcón real . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Halcón sacre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Halcón viajero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Halcón yággar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hurr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Hypotriorchis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Iceland Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Jerfalcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Jerkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus (mâle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Kleinschmidt’s Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus kreyenborgi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Labrador Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Laggar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Laggarfalke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lagger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Lanner falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Lanneret . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus (mâle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Lannerfalke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco biarmicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Lugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco jugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
18
INDEX

Northern Goshawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accipiter gentilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Peales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus pealei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Peals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus pealei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Peregrine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Peregrine Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Prairie Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Präiriefalke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco mexicanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Red-naped Shaheen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco pelegrinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Saker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Shaheen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tercel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco spp. (mâle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Turel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco rusticolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Wanderfalke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco peregrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Würgfalke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falco cherrug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
19
Credits
The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species: Enforcement Edition
An initiative of Environment Canada and the CITES Secretariat
Research, Concept and Production: John Sellar, CITES Secretariat, the CITES Enforcement
Task Force, and Lindsay Copland, Wildlife Enforcement Directorate, Environment Canada
Graphic Design and Illustration: Tamara Maliepaard
Published by Environment Canada
Photography Credits
All falcon photographs with the exception of those mentioned below were provided by:
Falcon Environmental Services Inc.
20–595 Eigg Road
Alexandria, Ontario K0C 1A0
Tel.: 613-525-9998
Fax: 613-525-4233
info@falcon.bz • www.falcon.bz
Cover, Peregrine Falcon: Geoff Kuchera, istockphotos.com

Title page, Peregrine Falcon: John Picher, istockphotos.com
Page 10, Prairie Falcon: William Schmoker, http://brdpics.blogspot.com
Page 10, Prairie Falcon head: Lindsay Copland
Page 16, Prairie Falcon: Doug Backlund, http://wildphotosphotography.com
Page 16, Gyrfalcon: Inga Brennan – Photography & Design, istockphotos.com
Page 16, Hood: Tanya Clyde, istockphotos.com
Page 16, Lanner Falcon: Graham Heywood, istockphotos.com
Acknowledgements
Dr. Pepper W. Trail, ornithologist, National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller, Manager, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
Mark Bell, Royal Ontario Museum
Steve Downing, Operation Artemis
Tyler Hoar

Falconry Guide - Enforcement Edition

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Falconry Guide - Enforcement Edition

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The CITES Identification Guide

Confidential - For Law Enforcement Purposes Only

An initiative of Environment Canada

CITES guide to falconry species [electronic resource] =

Electronic monograph in PDF and HTML format.

QL696.F34C57 2008 598.9’6 C2008-980247-0E

The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species: Enforcement Edition

Falcons: Illegal Trade Information

A Brief History of Falconry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Trends in the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

The Illegal Trade in Falcons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Stage 1 – The Removal of the Bird from the Wild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Stage 2 – Illicit Cross-border Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CITES permit and certificate checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Smuggling and concealment techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Courier profile and behaviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Fraud and smuggling associated with diplomats or hunting trips . . . . 14

Smuggling entry and transit points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Stage 3 – The Sale and Delivery of the Bird to the Falconer . . . . . . . . . 17

Prices for falcons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Trader profile and behaviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

The CITES Identification Guide to Falconry Species

Species represented in this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

How to use this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Identification of wild caught and captive bred specimens . . . . . . . . . ii

Falco spp. Quick Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force

CITES Enforcement Task Forces were first established by the Conference

The CITES Falcon Enforcement Task Force consists of a group of experts on

The work of CITES Enforcement Task Forces is coordinated and facilitated

A Brief History of Falconry

Trends in the Trade

There is currently a growing tendency for falconers to purchase captive-bred

Several captive-breeding facilities that engage in breeding birds of prey for

Because large falcons are generally preferred by falconers, females, which

The Illegal Trade in Falcons

It is recommended that law enforcement and border control officials contact

Stage 1 – The Removal of the Bird from the Wild

The following may indicate suspicious persons or behaviour or may assist in

• Possession of empty holdall or ‘sports’-type bags, cardboard boxes, or other

Before and after removal from the wild

For illegal harvest:

For collection, storage or sale prior to export:

Stage 2 – Illicit Cross-border Movement

The cross-border movement of falcons is usually accomplished by one of two

CITES permit and certificate checklist

Original Copy of CITES permit

The permit was not modified after it was issued

The date of the CITES permit has not expired

The permit contains no errors or omissions

The CITES permit is signed by the official CITES authority

The permit displays a CITES stamp

The description of the shipment is in compliance (number and species)

Some countries use ‘falcon passports’ instead of CITES permits or certificates

Examples of a falcon passport issued by Qatar

If you do not feel confident to handle

Smuggling as a method for the illicit cross-border movement of falcons has

Smuggling and concealment techniques

Courier profile and behaviour

Fraud and smuggling associated with diplomats or hunting trips

Falcons moved across borders, particularly for hunting purposes, cannot be

Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Optional

Consequently, falcons moved illicitly by diplomats are liable to seizure. National