{"id":42169,"date":"2024-10-02T13:21:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T11:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/7ed80ff6-7b79-45bc-aff3-12c0870a9971"},"modified":"2024-10-02T15:28:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T13:28:47","slug":"meet-the-largest-falcon-in-the-world-the-majestic-yet-ghostly-gyrfalcon","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/meet-the-largest-falcon-in-the-world-the-majestic-yet-ghostly-gyrfalcon\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the largest falcon in the world, the majestic – yet ghostly – gyrfalcon"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 02 October 2024 at 11:21 AM<\/p>

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Renowned for living and breeding in some of the harshest climates on the planet, the gyrfalcon has always been regarded as special \u2013 in times past, only kings were allowed to hunt with them, such is their predatory prowess. <\/strong><\/p>

How big are gyrfalcons?<\/h2>
The gyrfalcon is the world\u2019s largest falcon, measuring 48 – 65\u00a0cm long and weighing between 805g and 2kg. They have a wingspan of between 110 to 160\u00a0cm. <\/p>
Meet the mighty Andean condor, one of the world’s most impressive birds and the heaviest bird of prey<\/a><\/li>
White-tailed eagle vs osprey: what’s the difference between these two stunning birds of prey?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
What do gyrfalcons look like?<\/h2>
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.<\/p>
What do gyrfalcons eat?<\/h2>
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<\/a>.<\/p>
Where do they live?<\/h2>
Gyrfalcons inhabit the North Pole region and nest in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, and Iceland<\/p>
Where to see gyrfalcons<\/h2>

What do gyrfalcons look like?<\/h2>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.<\/p>

What do gyrfalcons eat?<\/h2>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<\/a>.<\/p>

What do gyrfalcons look like?<\/h2>
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.<\/p>

What do gyrfalcons eat?<\/h2>
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<\/a>.<\/p>