Range
Map - Birds of the
Arctic
Photo
Credit: http://www.falconry.com/breeder_frm.htm
The
Gyrfalcon is the world's largest falcon. It is the
most prized falcon in the world for the sport of
falconry and individuals can cost tens of thousands
of dollars. In medieval times, only a king could
possess a Gyrfalcon. Today, various falconry outfits
across the northern hemisphere breed gyrfalcons
and sell offspring for large sums of money. Sometimes,
they are cross-bred with Peregrine Falcons.
Description:
The breathtaking Gyrfalcons comes in many color
forms from pure white with pale black markings,
to brown, to dark gray. Measuring up to 24 inches
in length, the female is noticeably larger than
the male. Gyrfalcons have large bodies, long wings,
and a long tail.
Diet: The Gyrfalcon preys upon a wide range of birds
such as grouse, ptarmigan, geese, ducks, and smaller
birds. Occasionally, a Gyrfalcon may kill a hawk
or owl. They will also take small mammals. Prey
is usually overtaken and killed in mid-air.
Range:
The Gyrfalcon breeds above the Arctic Circle in
North America, Europe, and Asia. Some may breed
south of the Arctic Circle in Yukon and eastern
Alaska. In winter, the Gyrfalcon migrates south
of the Arctic Circle, and may occur as far south
as New England, the Great Lakes states, the Dakotas,
and northern parts of the Pacific northwest. Gyrfalcon
sightings cause quite a stir among birders, who
may travel great distances to catch a glimpse of
the great hunters. Gyrfalcons often perch on telephone
polls or fenceposts making observation easy.
Habitat:
The Gyrfalcon occupies arctic tundra, arctic meadows
and wetlands, high mountains, and rocky cliffs.
Status:
The Gyrfalcon is rare, though numbers are hard to
estimate due to the inhospitable environments it
breeds in.
|