Falco rusticolus

Mountains and tundra of n Palearctic region and n North America.

The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is an arctic dwelling species with a holarctic distribution. It is rarely found south of 60 degrees. The majority of the breeding range is found north of 60 degrees while in parts of Eastern Canada it can be found breeding to 55 degrees, mainly along sea coasts. Although gyrfalcons are non-migratory, they will disperse from the breeding range during the winter season, very rarely reaching the northern limit of the United States (Poole 1987; Wheeler and Clark 1995; Cade 1982).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) Holarctic. BREEDS: in Alaska (see Johnson and Herter [1989] for details), northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Scandinavia, northern Russia, and northern Siberia. WINTERS: south to mid-Europe, Japan, southern Canada, and irregularly to the northern coterminous U.S.

The world's largest falcon is polymorphic, being recognized in three color phases: white, grey, and dark. The dark phase is dark grey, almost black, in some individuals and groups of this morph are found in northern Canada. The white morph is generally found in Greenland, and is usually almost pure white with some markings usually on the wings. The grey morph is an intermediate and found throughout the range, typically two tones of grey are found on the body, most easily beind seen on the flight feathers versus the rest of the wing. This species is sexually dimorphic and thus has a wide ranging weight. Males weigh 800-1300g, averaging 53cm total length and females weigh 1400-2100g, averaging 56cm total length. The shape of the gyrfalcon is characteristically the same as most falcons. This includes long pointed wings (unlike the rounded wings of buteos), long tail and a notched bill. It also however, differs from other falcons by large size, shorter wings that only extend 2/3 down the tail when perched (compared with other falcons where the wings extend all the way to the tail), and broader wings. Adults characteristically have yellow ceres, eye-rings and legs while juveniles display these features in a blue color. As in all falcons, the eyes appear black. This species may perhaps only be confused with the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) which inhabits dense forests, or the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) which is somewhat smaller with a dark slaty-blue-black "helmet" and a lighter underside(Wheeler and Clark 1995; Cade 1982).

Range mass: 800 to 2100 g.

Length: 64 cm

Weight: 2100 grams

Systems

• Terrestrial
• Marine

The gyrfalcon is typically found in northern latitudes away from the boreal forest. Although some individuals have been recorded nesting in trees, the majority of individuals of this species nest in the arctic tundra. Nesting habitat is usually among tall cliffs while the hunting and foraging areas are more diverse. Foraging areas may include coastal areas and beaches that are used heavily by waterfowl, stooping off cliffs at unsuspecting prey such as small birds beneath them, or on the open tundra where tail chases on ptarmigan and larger mammals is common.

Habitat fragmentation is currently not a threat to this species, due mainly to the short growing season and climate of the area. Since cliff faces are not disturbed and the tundra is not highly altered nor farmed, habitat for this species seems to be stable.

Winter can force this species to move regionally to feed. While in more southern climates, they prefer agricultural fields which remind them of their northern breeding grounds, typically perching low to the ground on fence posts (Pletz, E. 2000 personal communication; Poole 1987).

Terrestrial Biomes: tundra

Comments: Primarily open country in the Arctic, including tundra, open coniferous forest, mountainous regions, and rocky seacoasts; generally in coastal areas in winter (AOU 1983, National Geographic Society 1983).

Usually nests on cliff ledges, ideally beneath sheltering overhang; sometimes nests in trees or on man-made structures. Nest generally is a scrape on a rock ledge or an abandoned hawk or raven nest. May nest on same cliffs as does peregrine. May compete successfully with peregrine for nest sites. May change nest site in successive years.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Overwinters as far north as available prey allows. Many individuals, especially those from the high arctic, migrate south for winter (especially juveniles and prebreeders); migrant females arrive on breeding areas mid-February to early March (Cade 1982). Satellite telemetry has documented migrations between Alaska and eastern Asia (Britten et al. 1995).

Unlike eagles which use their large size to rob meals, and peregrine falcons which use gravity to gain tremendous speed, the gyrfalcon uses raw power to capture prey, usually in a tail chase. Usually low coursing flights are used in open habitat (no trees for concealment) where gyrfalcons will strike prey both in the air or on the ground . The majority of prey (by biomass) that consitutes the diet consists of ptarmigan (Lagopus sp.), Arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) and Arctic hares (Lepus arcticus). Other prey includes other small mammals (mice and voles) as well as other birds (ducks, sparrows, buntings)

While hunting, this falcon uses keen eyesight to spot potential prey, as almost all animals in the north are cryptically colored to avoid detection. When potential prey is spotted a chase usually occurs where more than likely the prey will be knocked to the ground in a powerful blow from the talons and then pounced upon. Gyrfalcons are powerful enough to have sustained flight while hunting and occasionally wear their prey out until capture is easy. During nesting, the gyrfalcon will also cache meals with large prey such as Arctic hares between feedings. Rock doves (Columba livia), or pigeons as they are commonly known, although not native are preyed upon heavily in major centers by gyrfalcons during winter months (Lange and Dekker 1999; Stelfox and Fisher 1998; Cade 1982; Poole 1987).

Comments: Diet mostly consists of birds (especially ptarmigans which make up 85-95% of their diet by weight, although other birds of prey, ducks, auks, gulls, and terns are locally important). Small mammals are important in some areas and to young birds (Cade 1982). Primary prey in central Canadian arctic: rock ptarmigan, arctic ground squirrel, and arctic hare (Poole and Boag 1988). Takes most prey from the ground rather than from the air. See Palmer (1988) for many details.

Falco rusticolus preys on:
Asio flammeus

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Comments: Estimated number of breeding pairs in Canada in the early 1990s was 1500-3000 (Kirk et al. 1995). See Palmer (1988) for population estimates for various regions.

Distance between nest sites was 3-38 km in northern Alaska; average of 10.4 km for inland sites in Greenland, minimum of 15 km for coastal sites in Greenland. Hunted up to 12-15 km from aerie in interior Alaska (see Palmer 1988).

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 162 months.

Maximum longevity: 13.5 years (wild)

Gyrfalcons nest in the remote northern portions of the world. Until recently, little was known about nesting sites, incubation times, fledging dates, or reproductive behavior. Although much has been discovered recently, many other aspects of the reproductive cycle have yet to be determined.

Males begin defending nesting territory in mid-winter, about the end of January, while females generally arrive at nesting sites near the beginning of March. Pair bonding occurs for about 6 weeks and subsequently the eggs are usually laid near the end of April.

Gyrfalcons do not construct their own stick nests in trees (although old common raven (Corvus corax) stick nests in trees are sometimes used), and usually find suitable nesting sites on cliff faces where there is a shelf with an overhang. Nest sites are used year after year and accumulate prey remain piles, while the rocks turn white from excessive guano.

The clutch can be from 2-7 eggs, however,the average size is 4, which is typically incubated by the female with some assistance from the male. Incubation has recently been determined to be 35 days and all birds in the clutch hatch within a 24-36 hour period.

Due to cold climate, chicks are covered in heavy down and are left to thermoregulate themselves after only 10 days as the female leaves the nest to join the male in hunting duties for the growing family (Cade 1982).

Pair-bonds form over 6-8 weeks before egg laying (April-early May or into June). Clutch size most commonly is 3-4. Incubation lasts about 5 weeks (but 44 days also reported), mainly by female, which broods young 10 days, then aids in food provision until fledging at 7-8 weeks (late June to mid-Aug. in Beaufort Sea area). Young are dependent for another month or more. First breeds probably at 2 years.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 6
Specimens with Barcodes: 6
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 6 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

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Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2008
  Least Concern
• 2004
  Least Concern
• 1988
  Near Threatened

In Canada, the gyrfalcon is not recorded as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern. Population estimates are currently thought to be under 50 000 birds total, with many of these being sub-adults and not sexually mature. Also, population levels have stayed fairly constant with little flucuation over the long term. This is perhaps due to the fact that habitat loss is not a major concern due to low human interaction in the north, the fact that there is no hunting season on these birds, and pesticides levels have been lower in these non-migrators.

In the United States this species has been given no special status as it is only a vagrant visitor and does not breed in the mainland USA. This species does however, nest in Alaska where populations seem to be stable.

Poaching, mainly in the form of capturing and selling birds to falconers is still a major concern. Due to tight restrictions on exporting in Canada, this does not occur very often or at least is not detected very often. Also, due to its habitat and its remoteness, these birds are not regularly captured.

Raptor monitoring, through surveys and banding is becoming more prevalent, however, do to their remoteness, not all areas are covered in as great of detail. This is due to the fact that birds of prey are good indicators to overall ecosystem health. By monitoring these large birds, we can determine if the ecosystem is on a downward slide early and try to restore it.(Poole and Bromley 1985;)

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix i

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N4B,N4N : N4B: Apparently Secure - Breeding, N4N: Apparently Secure - Nonbreeding

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N3B,N3N : N3B: Vulnerable - Breeding, N3N: Vulnerable - Nonbreeding

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Large (Holarctic) range; populations apparently are stable in most areas.

Global Short Term Trend: Relatively stable (=10% change)

Comments: Uncommon over most of its range with no evidence of a downward trend in numbers over most of its range in recent years. In Canada, populations are healthy and reproducing successfully, and still occupy original range (Bromley, 1987 COSEWIC report); stable in Northwest Territories and Yukon (see Kirk et al. 1995). Some decline and local extirpation has occurred within historical times in Scandinavia and adjacent Russia (Cade 1982).

There are no reported negative impacts by the gyrfalcon on humans.

Falconry is one of the oldest sports dating back some 4000 years, the majority practiced in the middle east. The white phase of the gyrfalcon, historically was hunted only by royality, and even today is still considered the "bird of kings". In North America, collecting wild raptors is illegal, but they are captured for trade in portions of their range in the Old World. McLean (1984) reports the demand to be high from the middle east, while Trefry (2000, personal communication) suggests few gyrfalcons are bred in captivity. Unfortunately, many are captured illegally and sold on the black market.

Another economic aspect of this bird is its rarity to birdwatchers, many of whom are willing to travel to watch, study and photograph this bird. These travellers must be transported, fed, and sheltered, all of which have economics spinoffs to the communities where these birds are found.

To a small extent, these birds are hunted for food and feathers used for clothing or ceremonial purposes by native Inuit. This number is small and they are not hunted exclusively, only opprotunistically and are spiritually significant to the native people of the north (Holt 1999, personal communication; McLean 1984; Trefry 2000, personal communication)