Gyrfalcon

Falco rusticolus

Also known as:Gerfalcon

Explore this bird

Identification

51-63 cm (20-25") Rare. Arctic barrens, open mountains; in winter, may wander into United States.

World's largest falcon - crow size; heavy-bodied; long, broad wings. When perched, long tail extends beyond wing tips. Three distinct color phases.

Light: all white with some barring on back and tail.

Gray: gray above, whitish below with dark streaks and bars.

Dark: dark brown above, heavily streaked below.

Catches ptarmigan and grouse in midair.

Song: "ke-a, ke-a, ke-a".

Details in the field

6 photos

Credit: b52starr

Credit: Emma

Credit: Tim Hickok

Watch and learn

1 video

シロハヤブサ Gyrfalcon

Credit: EFP8823

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 10 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:384-gyrfalcon:1:1 Source: 384 Gyrfalcon, row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:384-gyrfalcon:2:1 Source: 384 Gyrfalcon, row 2