How large is a Gyrfalcon?

What is the difference between a gyrfalcon and peregrine falcon?

Males are slightly larger than a Peregrine Falcon; females are about the size of a Red-tailed Hawk. 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.

What does a gyrfalcon eat?

The Gyrfalcon is a bird of tundra and mountains, with cliffs or a few patches of trees. It feeds only on birds and mammals. Like other hierofalcons, it usually hunts in a horizontal pursuit, rather than the Peregrine’s speedy stoop from a height.

What is the length of a gyrfalcon?

Length: 18.9-25.2 in (48-64 cm) Weight: 28.2-74.1 oz (800-2100 g) Wingspan: 48.4 in (123 cm) © Joshua D. Vandermeulen | Macaulay Library. Color Pattern 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.

What is a gyrfalcon bird called?

Gyrfalcon. The Gyrfalcon breeds on Arctic coasts and islands of North America, Europe and Asia. It is mainly resident, but some Gyrfalcons disperse more widely after the breeding season, or in winter. The bird’s common name comes from French gerfaucon, and in mediaeval Latin is rendered as gyrofalco.

What is the difference between a Merlin and a gyrfalcon?

The average Merlin is substantially smaller than a Peregrine Falcon, with a more compact body, shorter wings, and a stockier appearance. The Gyrfalcon is bulkier than a Peregrine Falcon and is very rare in the continental United States. They also lack the Peregrine’s bold mustache.

What is falconry called?

The Sport of Falconry. The gyrfalcon or Falco rusticolus, also spelled gerfalcon, is the largest of all falcon species. The Gyrfalcon breeds on Arctic coasts and islands of North America, Europe and Asia. It is mainly resident, but some Gyrfalcons disperse more widely after the breeding season, or in winter.

What is the difference between a gyrfalcon and a peregrine?

The brown form of the Gyrfalcon is distinguished from the Peregrine by the cream streaking on the nape and crown and by the absence of a well-defined (cheek) stripe and cap. The black morph (genetic mutation) has its underside strongly spotted black, not finely barred as in the Peregrine.

What are the Predators of a gyrfalcon?

The only natural predator of gyrfalcons are Golden Eagles and even they rarely engage with these formidable falcons. Gyrfalcons have been recorded as aggressively harassing animals that come near their nests, although Common Ravens are the only predators known to successful pick off Gyrfalcon eggs and hatchlings.

What do gyrfalcons eat?

Gyrfalcons rely heavily on Willow Ptarmigan and Rock Ptarmigan but also hunt other birds, including seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds.

What does the gyrfalcon Hunt?

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 gyrfalcon birds live?

The Gyrfalcon breeds in arctic and alpine tundra in northern Canada and Alaska, in areas with abundant ptarmigan or near colonies of nesting seabirds or waterfowl.

What is the color of a gyrfalcon?

Color Pattern 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.

What kind of tail does a Merlin have?

The dark tail has narrow white bands, and the face often lacks a prominent malar or “mustache” stripe. Merlins are fierce, energetic predators that patrol shorelines and open areas looking for their prey of small birds (and sometimes dragonflies).

What does a gyrfalcon bird 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.

What are the characteristics of a gyrfalcon?

Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. Gyrfalcons are very large falcons. They have pointed wings, but they are not as pointed or as narrow as the wings of smaller falcons. The tail is relatively long. The body is thick and powerful, particularly in females, which are substantially larger than males.

What is the difference between a merlin falcon and a prairie falcon?

Immature Prairie Falcons look similar to immature Peregrine Falcons, but they are paler brown with a paler mustache. Merlins are smaller than Peregrine Falcons and they lack the Peregrine’s helmeted look and thick mustache or sideburn.

Do gyrfalcons attack fledgling birds?

Male Gyrfalcons are commonly seen capturing fledgling songbirds in the area around the nest. They probably seek small prey only when it can be obtained quickly, since larger prey provides a bigger payoff for their efforts. Adult males are much smaller than females: males average less than 3 pounds while females average up to 4 pounds.

What kind of bird is a gyrfalcon?

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.

How many eggs does a gyrfalcon lay at once?

The Gyrfalcon almost invariably nests on cliff faces. Breeding pairs do not build their own nests, and often use a bare cliff ledge or the abandoned nest of other birds, particularly Golden Eagles and Common Ravens. The clutch can range from 1 to 5 eggs, but is usually 2 to 4.

Where do gyrfalcons live?

There they are usually found in open areas below 3,000 feet in elevation with abundant birds for prey, including coasts, reservoirs, farmland, grasslands, shrublands, and river valleys. Back to top Gyrfalcons rely heavily on Willow Ptarmigan and Rock Ptarmigan but also hunt other birds, including seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds.

What do gyrfalcons eat in the Arctic?

Gyrfalcons breed on arctic tundra. When they come south for winter, they look for similar habitat: open fields, coastlines, dunes, prairie, and shrubsteppe. But it preys on many other bird species, including sage-grouse, jaegers, gulls, terns, fulmars, auks, pheasants, hawks, owls, ravens, and songbirds. It can also hunt mammals as big as hares.

What is the difference between a male and female merlin bird?

Both sexes give a shrill, chattering call that can last 4 seconds. It’s used in courtship as well as aggressive situations. Merlins also have a short chip note used as a contact call and in courtship displays. The male’s is higher pitched than the female’s. Looking for ID Help? Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. Need Bird ID Help?

How do you identify a merlin falcon?

The Four Keys to ID. Size & Shape Merlins are small falcons with a powerful build that is broader and stockier than the slightly smaller American Kestrel. Merlins have sharply pointed wings, a broad chest, and a medium length tail. Relative Size Slightly larger than an American Kestrel; less bulky than a Rock Pigeon.

How can you tell a male from a female gyrfalcon?

The female’s calls are usually lower in pitch than the male’s. The Gyrfalcon’s wings make a hissing noise when it stoops for prey or circles the nest. Looking for ID Help? Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds.

What is the lightest type of gyrfalcon?

Greenland Gyrfalcons are lightest, with white plumage flecked with grey on the back and wings being most common. Other subpopulations have varying amounts of the darker morphs: the Icelandic birds tend towards pale, and Eurasian ones are considerably darker and not usually have white birds present.

What is the difference between a prairie falcon and a gyrfalcon?

Juvenile Peregrine Falcons are spotted and barred below, lacking the Prairie Falcon’s dark armpits. Gyrfalcon is occasionally seen in winter in the northern part of Prairie Falcon’s range, but the Gyrfalcon is larger and bulkier than the Prairie Falcon, with broader, less pointed wings.