Renowned for living and breeding in some of the harshest climates on the planet, the gyrfalcon has always been regarded as special – in times past, only kings were allowed to hunt with them, such is their predatory prowess.
How big are gyrfalcons?
The gyrfalcon is the world’s largest falcon, measuring 48 – 65 cm long and weighing between 805g and 2kg. They have a wingspan of between 110 to 160 cm.
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What do gyrfalcons look like?
Although the gyrfalcon is classically shown as sporting a pure white plumage with dark spotting on its wings and back, in fact it ranges greatly in colour, with both grey and dark-brown morphs common.
What do gyrfalcons eat?
Like other falcons gyrfalcons like to feast on other birds, particularly ground birds like grouse and ptarmigan, but will also eat seabirds and waterfowl. They also won’t say no to land mammals like squirrels and marmots.
Where do they live?
Gyrfalcons inhabit the North Pole region and nest in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, and Iceland
Where to see gyrfalcons
One of the best places to see gyrfalcons is Iceland, where the area around Lake Mývatn, in the north of the island, is a hotspot for them. The lake is a must-visit location for birdwatchers anyway, with large flocks of ducks, divers and grebes everywhere.
A good winter location for gyrfalcons is the coast along the Reykjanes peninsula in the south-west of Iceland, where they can be seen panicking gulls and wildfowl.