GYRFALCON
(falco rusticolus)
The beautiful Gyrfalcon is the world's largest falcon -
with a wingspan in excess of 5ft. The Gyr (pronounced
'ger') is the world's fastest falcon in level flight. Being
a bird of the Arctic tundra, Gyrs are not resident in this
country but a few visit us; usually in the Northern Isles
and sometimes Ireland, the West Country and the Scilly
Isles.
Their plumage is highly variable, ranging from brown and
grey, to almost pure white with a few black spots. Prey
consists almost entirely of birds which - as well as
stooping - it can fly down in direct pursuit. It can use
its superior weight and speed to tackle quite large birds
such as geese, but inland populations rely almost entirely
on Grouse and Ptarmigan.
FACT
FILE:
LENGTH:
50 - 60cms (20 - 24ins)WINGSPAN:
130 - I 60cms (51 - 63ins)WEIGHT:
0.8 - 2.1kg (1Ib 1 2oz - 41bs 10oz)HABITAT:
Rocky coasts and low-lying moorland where prey is plentiful