Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus

The genus name Falco (FAL-koh) is Latin for hawk, referring to the hooked (falcate) shape of theclaws. The species name rusticolis (russ-TICK-oh-lus)is from the Latin rusticola, livingin the country. The common name (JER-fall-kon) is from Latin gyrfalcon, or girofalco, said to be a Low Latin corruption of hierofalco, or “sacred falcon” for abird so highly revered by falconers. Thisswift, powerful species is mostly found on the Arctic tundra. Most of theGyrfalcons are an overall gray, but there white and dark morphs. The whitemorph nests primarily in northern Greenland, while the dark morph nests in Labrador. The gray morph is widespread and is the onethat occurs in the Pacific NW. It is a heavy-bodied falcon with long, broadwings with pointed tips and a relatively long tail. The gray morph has grayupperparts, a whitish body with gray spotting or streaking on the breast andbelly. Sometimes a weak, or thin, mustache is visible. It is usually found inopen and semi-open areas, such as marshes, fields and wetlands where prey isabundant. Most of the Gyrfalcons remain in the far north all year. Only a fewcome as far south as the Canadian border in winter. West of the Cascades theGYRF is a rare winter resident on the Samish and Skagit Flats, Dungeness Spitand Ocean Shores. In Eastern Washington they aremost likely seen on the Waterville Plateau, Davenport-Reardan area and north ofMoses Lake. They do not nest in Washington. Most of theGyrfalcons seen in Washingtonare immatures which are more  brownoverall instead of gray. There is a lot of pressure worldwide on Gyrfalcons asthey are collected from the wild and sold to falconers in other countries forlarge sums of money.

In Alaska, the GYRF feedsmostly on birds, mainly on ptarmigans and grouse. Some of the mammals used forfood are lemmings, squirrels and hares. In Washington they feed mainly on waterfowl,upland game birds such as Ring-necked Pheasant and Gray Partridge, shorebirdsand Rock Pigeon. They hunt by scanning the area from a perch on a high rock orwhile flying. It most often attacks in a level chase low over the ground andsimply outflies its prey, often attacking from below. It strikes in mid-air andthen carries the prey or follows it to the ground. Their alarm call is a loud kak-kak-kak or harsh kikikikiki. Gyrfalcons nest in the Arctic tundra and and use cliffsites or old nests built by other birds in spruce or poplar trees, such asravens or Golden Eagles. They do not add material to existing nests. Three tofour white or creamy white eggs  spottedwith reddish brown are usually laid. Incubation is by both parents, but mainlyby the female, and lasts about 35 days. For the first 1-3 weeks the young arebrooded mostly by the female. The male does most of the hunting and brings foodto the female which she feeds to the nestlings. The female begins hunting afterabout 2-3 weeks. The young make their first flight after about 45-50 days.