More Information

Additional Information

Falco rusticolusgyrfalcon

By Tyler Flockhart

Geographic Range

The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is an arctic dwelling species with a holarctic distribution. It is rarely found south of 60 degrees. The majority of the breeding range is found north of 60 degrees while in parts of Eastern Canada it can be found breeding to 55 degrees, mainly along sea coasts. Although gyrfalcons are non-migratory, they will disperse from the breeding range during the winter season, very rarely reaching the northern limit of the United States (Poole 1987; Wheeler and Clark 1995; Cade 1982).

Habitat

The gyrfalcon is typically found in northern latitudes away from the boreal forest. Although some individuals have been recorded nesting in trees, the majority of individuals of this species nest in the arctic tundra. Nesting habitat is usually among tall cliffs while the hunting and foraging areas are more diverse. Foraging areas may include coastal areas and beaches that are used heavily by waterfowl, stooping off cliffs at unsuspecting prey such as small birds beneath them, or on the open tundra where tail chases on ptarmigan and larger mammals is common.

Habitat fragmentation is currently not a threat to this species, due mainly to the short growing season and climate of the area. Since cliff faces are not disturbed and the tundra is not highly altered nor farmed, habitat for this species seems to be stable.

Winter can force this species to move regionally to feed. While in more southern climates, they prefer agricultural fields which remind them of their northern breeding grounds, typically perching low to the ground on fence posts (Pletz, E. 2000 personal communication; Poole 1987).

Physical Description

The world's largest falcon is polymorphic, being recognized in three color phases: white, grey, and dark. The dark phase is dark grey, almost black, in some individuals and groups of this morph are found in northern Canada. The white morph is generally found in Greenland, and is usually almost pure white with some markings usually on the wings. The grey morph is an intermediate and found throughout the range, typically two tones of grey are found on the body, most easily beind seen on the flight feathers versus the rest of the wing. This species is sexually dimorphic and thus has a wide ranging weight. Males weigh 800-1300g, averaging 53cm total length and females weigh 1400-2100g, averaging 56cm total length. The shape of the gyrfalcon is characteristically the same as most falcons. This includes long pointed wings (unlike the rounded wings of buteos), long tail and a notched bill. It also however, differs from other falcons by large size, shorter wings that only extend 2/3 down the tail when perched (compared with other falcons where the wings extend all the way to the tail), and broader wings. Adults characteristically have yellow ceres, eye-rings and legs while juveniles display these features in a blue color. As in all falcons, the eyes appear black. This species may perhaps only be confused with the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) which inhabits dense forests, or the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) which is somewhat smaller with a dark slaty-blue-black "helmet" and a lighter underside(Wheeler and Clark 1995; Cade 1982).

  • Range mass
    800 to 2100 g
    28.19 to 74.01 oz

Reproduction

Gyrfalcons nest in the remote northern portions of the world. Until recently, little was known about nesting sites, incubation times, fledging dates, or reproductive behavior. Although much has been discovered recently, many other aspects of the reproductive cycle have yet to be determined.

Males begin defending nesting territory in mid-winter, about the end of January, while females generally arrive at nesting sites near the beginning of March. Pair bonding occurs for about 6 weeks and subsequently the eggs are usually laid near the end of April.

Gyrfalcons do not construct their own stick nests in trees (although old common raven (Corvus corax) stick nests in trees are sometimes used), and usually find suitable nesting sites on cliff faces where there is a shelf with an overhang. Nest sites are used year after year and accumulate prey remain piles, while the rocks turn white from excessive guano.

The clutch can be from 2-7 eggs, however,the average size is 4, which is typically incubated by the female with some assistance from the male. Incubation has recently been determined to be 35 days and all birds in the clutch hatch within a 24-36 hour period.

Due to cold climate, chicks are covered in heavy down and are left to thermoregulate themselves after only 10 days as the female leaves the nest to join the male in hunting duties for the growing family (Cade 1982).

Lifespan/Longevity

Behavior

The gyrfalcon is a solitary species except during the breeding season when it will interact with its mate. During non-breeding times, this bird will hunt, forage, and roost alone. It is generally non-migratory but will move short distances, especially during winter to suitable areas where prey can be found.

This falcon has no natural enemies due to its large size, however, it will be eaten by a variety of animals if given the chance. Due to its large and capability of flight, many predators can't concentrate on hunting this species exclusively, and most mortalities occur to young inexperienced birds or ones that become injured. Some animals of the north that may feed upon Gyrfalcons include Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), red fox (Vulpes velox), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), wolverine (Gulo gulo), and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) (Poole 1987; Cade 1982).

Communication and Perception

Food Habits

Unlike eagles which use their large size to rob meals, and peregrine falcons which use gravity to gain tremendous speed, the gyrfalcon uses raw power to capture prey, usually in a tail chase. Usually low coursing flights are used in open habitat (no trees for concealment) where gyrfalcons will strike prey both in the air or on the ground . The majority of prey (by biomass) that consitutes the diet consists of ptarmigan (Lagopus sp.), Arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) and Arctic hares (Lepus arcticus). Other prey includes other small mammals (mice and voles) as well as other birds (ducks, sparrows, buntings)

While hunting, this falcon uses keen eyesight to spot potential prey, as almost all animals in the north are cryptically colored to avoid detection. When potential prey is spotted a chase usually occurs where more than likely the prey will be knocked to the ground in a powerful blow from the talons and then pounced upon. Gyrfalcons are powerful enough to have sustained flight while hunting and occasionally wear their prey out until capture is easy. During nesting, the gyrfalcon will also cache meals with large prey such as Arctic hares between feedings. Rock doves (Columba livia), or pigeons as they are commonly known, although not native are preyed upon heavily in major centers by gyrfalcons during winter months (Lange and Dekker 1999; Stelfox and Fisher 1998; Cade 1982; Poole 1987).

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Falconry is one of the oldest sports dating back some 4000 years, the majority practiced in the middle east. The white phase of the gyrfalcon, historically was hunted only by royality, and even today is still considered the "bird of kings". In North America, collecting wild raptors is illegal, but they are captured for trade in portions of their range in the Old World. McLean (1984) reports the demand to be high from the middle east, while Trefry (2000, personal communication) suggests few gyrfalcons are bred in captivity. Unfortunately, many are captured illegally and sold on the black market.

Another economic aspect of this bird is its rarity to birdwatchers, many of whom are willing to travel to watch, study and photograph this bird. These travellers must be transported, fed, and sheltered, all of which have economics spinoffs to the communities where these birds are found.

To a small extent, these birds are hunted for food and feathers used for clothing or ceremonial purposes by native Inuit. This number is small and they are not hunted exclusively, only opprotunistically and are spiritually significant to the native people of the north (Holt 1999, personal communication; McLean 1984; Trefry 2000, personal communication) (McLean, 1984)

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no reported negative impacts by the gyrfalcon on humans.

Conservation Status

In Canada, the gyrfalcon is not recorded as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern. Population estimates are currently thought to be under 50 000 birds total, with many of these being sub-adults and not sexually mature. Also, population levels have stayed fairly constant with little flucuation over the long term. This is perhaps due to the fact that habitat loss is not a major concern due to low human interaction in the north, the fact that there is no hunting season on these birds, and pesticides levels have been lower in these non-migrators.

In the United States this species has been given no special status as it is only a vagrant visitor and does not breed in the mainland USA. This species does however, nest in Alaska where populations seem to be stable.

Poaching, mainly in the form of capturing and selling birds to falconers is still a major concern. Due to tight restrictions on exporting in Canada, this does not occur very often or at least is not detected very often. Also, due to its habitat and its remoteness, these birds are not regularly captured.

Raptor monitoring, through surveys and banding is becoming more prevalent, however, do to their remoteness, not all areas are covered in as great of detail. This is due to the fact that birds of prey are good indicators to overall ecosystem health. By monitoring these large birds, we can determine if the ecosystem is on a downward slide early and try to restore it.(Poole and Bromley 1985;)

Other Comments

To observe gyrfalcons in the wild, the best time is usually the winter when they seasonally disperse from their breeding grounds. Open areas, similar to the arctic tundra, with food will usually have a visiting gyrfalcon in northern climates. Open water with overwintering waterfowl is especially good areas to see these birds. Large numbers of rock doves may also prove to be areas where gyrfalcons will hunt.

Normally, patience is required to view these birds, as they are rare, even in their normal range. To view one in the wild is special, to see one hunt in the wild is extraordinary.

Contributors

Tyler Flockhart (author), University of Alberta, Cindy Paszkowski (editor), University of Alberta.

Glossary

Nearctic

living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.

World Map

Palearctic

living in the northern part of the Old World. In otherwords, Europe and Asia and northern Africa.

World Map

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

endothermic

animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.

iteroparous

offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

oviparous

reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

tactile

uses touch to communicate

tundra

A terrestrial biome with low, shrubby or mat-like vegetation found at extremely high latitudes or elevations, near the limit of plant growth. Soils usually subject to permafrost. Plant diversity is typically low and the growing season is short.

visual

uses sight to communicate

References

Cade, T. 1982. The Falcons of the World.. Ithaca, New York: Comstock/Cornell University Press.

Lange, J., D. Dekker. 1999. The Downtown Falcon vs. Pigeon Show. The Edmonton Naturalist, V 27, no.1: 10-11.

McLean, B. 1984. Gyrfalcon nesting survey in a southern Baffin Island, May-June 1984. Report prepared for the Baffin Regional Inuit Association and the Baffin Regional Council.

Poole, K. 1987. Aspects of the ecology, food habits and foraging characteristics of Gyrfalcon in the central Candian Arctic. M.Sc. Thesis. Edmonton, Alberta: University of Alberta.

Poole, K., R. Bromley. 1985. Aspects of the ecology of the gyrfalcon in the central Canadian arctic, 1983 and 1984.. YellowKnife, NWT: Northwest Territories Renewable Resources.

Stelfox, H., C. Fisher. 1998. A Winter Birding Guide for the Edmonton Region. Edmonton, Alberta: Edmonton Natural History Club.

Wheeler, B., W. Clark. 1995. A photographic guide to North American Raptors. San Diego, California: Academic Press Inc..

Search

Navigation Links

Information
Pictures
Classification

Classification