Falcons

Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus

Family Falconidae (Falcons)

Size: 22", female larger than male

Season: Winter

Habitat: Open country near cliffs

The gyrfalcon is a large, powerful falcon of the far north with a long tail and somewhat more-rounded wings than other falcons. Three color morphs exist—white, gray, and dark—with the gray being most common. It is slate gray above, heavily barred with white and gray below, and has dark facial markings across the eye and malar area. The white morph is snow white with dark-gray mottling on the back, tail, and wings. Gyrfalcons pursue birds and mammals up to duck and rabbit size in direct flight on stiff wings. The adult gray phase is illustrated.