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The Gyrfalcon thrives in some of the harshest climates on Earth. This denizen of the mountains and high arctic tundra is a circumpolar species, found throughout the region of the North Pole. It nests in the arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, and Iceland.
- What is a Gyrfalcon habitat?
- Is a Gyrfalcon rare?
- Where does the name Gyrfalcon come from?
- Are Gyrfalcons found in UK?
- Is a Gyrfalcon a hybrid?
- Do Gyrfalcons eat owls?
- Where do Gyrfalcons breed?
- What does the word gyrfalcon mean?
- Which falcon is the fastest?
- How much does a gyrfalcon cost?
- How tall is a gyrfalcon?
- What does a gyrfalcon look like?
- How fast is a gyrfalcon?
What is a Gyrfalcon habitat?
Gyrfalcons live in tundra (treeless heath plains) and taiga (swampy coniferous areas). There, they are often found near bluffs and cliffs along shorelines or rivers. They can also be found in barren uplands or mountains, often above the tree line.
Is a Gyrfalcon rare?
Although an uncommon species, the Gyrfalcon is not rare, as frequently stated. Remoteness of habitat, fluctuations in breeding populations and in migratory movements, variability in plumage and behavior, and rumors of rarity have all combined to make this species frequently misidentified or overlooked.
Where does the name Gyrfalcon come from?
The species name is from the Latin rusticolus, a countryside-dweller, from rus, ruris, "country" and colere, "to dwell". The bird's common name comes from French gerfaucon; in Medieval Latin, it is gyrofalco.
Are Gyrfalcons found in UK?
The Gyrfalcon is a transient visitor to Britain with only a few sightings every year. The record for the highest number of sightings dates back to 1909 when 27 were spotted across Britain and Ireland.
Is a Gyrfalcon a hybrid?
Hybrid Gyrfalcons are not known to occur in the wild, but are common in falconry. Hybrids can appear nearly identical to one species or look like a combination of both species. Some falconry birds escape into the wild, but often have jesses (leather anklets) or rings on their legs.
Do Gyrfalcons eat owls?
The Gyrfalcon hunts mostly ptarmigan, and its breeding distribution is strikingly similar to that of the Rock Ptarmigan. But it preys on many other bird species, including sage-grouse, jaegers, gulls, terns, fulmars, auks, pheasants, hawks, owls, ravens, and songbirds.
Where do Gyrfalcons breed?
Gyrfalcons nest on cliffs or in conifer tree nests of other species, such as Common Ravens and Golden Eagles. They may nest directly on cliff ledges, often protected by overhangs oriented away from the wind.
What does the word gyrfalcon mean?
Definition of gyrfalcon
: an arctic falcon (Falco rusticolus) that occurs in several color forms and is the largest of all falcons.
Which falcon is the fastest?
Cheetahs may take the lead in Google searches for fastest animal, but in reality the crown goes to the peregrine falcon. Reaching speeds of more than 200 miles per hour, peregrine falcons can dive faster than a moving Formula One race car.
How much does a gyrfalcon cost?
Some Gyrfalcons are bred in captivity and fetch prices from $5,000 to many times that much for top pedigrees. “Gyrs” are roughly the size of a Red-tailed Hawk but with the fighter-jet aerodynamics of the falcon tribe.
How tall is a gyrfalcon?
The gyrfalcon may reach 60 cm (2 feet) in length, and females, which average 1,400–2,100 grams (3.1–4.6 pounds), weigh nearly twice as much as males.
What does a gyrfalcon look like?
Although the classic image of a Gyrfalcon is a regal white bird with black spotting, the birds occur in shades of white, gray, and dark brown. In North America, gray birds are more numerous than the other two morphs. Adults are heavily barred on the back, wings, and tail, with spotted underparts.
How fast is a gyrfalcon?
The gyrfalcon is the world's fastest bird in level flight with an average speed of 50-68 mph (80-109 kph). These powerful birds may initially be underestimated, but their strength becomes evident after a few seconds in the air.
