Falcons are birds of prey which are distributed throughout the world and found on every continent (Cramp and Simmons, 1983). A number of species found in Pakistan are largely resident and breed throughout the mountain tracts, with some winter migration to the plains and semi-desert areas in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP (Ali and Ripley, 1968-72). A number of species migrate to Pakistan in winter from Central Asia and China (Nawaz, 1987). Some species, such as Saker Falcon and Peregrine Falcon are most popular with falconers for hunting Houbara bustards due to their size, speed, stamina and they are easier to train (Roger, 1995). Large-scale trapping of these species is rapidly decreasing their population over their entire range (Nawaz, 1988). With regard to the status of falcons in Sindh, it was largely unknown how many species visited or were captured by trappers annually.
展开▼
