{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "gyrfalcon",
  "name": "Gyrfalcon",
  "scientificName": "Falco rusticolus",
  "category": "Bird",
  "summary": "The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest falcon in the world, weighing 0.8–2.1 kg. It breeds around the Arctic in North America, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia and comes in white, grey and dark colour forms. It hunts ptarmigan and seabirds in fast, low chases. Gyrfalcons have long been prized in falconry. They are listed as Least Concern.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Three colour forms",
      "body": "Gyrfalcons come in white, grey and dark forms. White birds, nearly pure white with dark flecks, are most frequent in Greenland; dark birds, almost black in some cases, occur in northern Canada; grey birds are found throughout the range."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Arctic hunter",
      "body": "Rather than diving from great heights like the peregrine, the gyrfalcon usually hunts with fast, low flight, chasing ptarmigan and seabirds and wearing them down. It also takes Arctic ground squirrels, lemmings and hares."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Falconry",
      "body": "For centuries gyrfalcons were the most prized falconry birds, reserved in medieval Europe for kings. Wild-caught birds are now protected, and falconry birds are captive-bred."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Status",
      "body": "BirdLife International lists the gyrfalcon as Least Concern (2021), estimating 12,600 to 55,300 mature birds and a stable trend. Changes in Arctic prey populations and climate are potential long-term threats."
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "What is the largest falcon?",
      "answer": "The gyrfalcon, which can weigh up to about 2.1 kg."
    },
    {
      "question": "Is a gyrfalcon faster than a peregrine?",
      "answer": "In level flight gyrfalcons are very fast and powerful, but the peregrine's hunting dive is the fastest recorded movement of any bird."
    },
    {
      "question": "Where do gyrfalcons live?",
      "answer": "Around the Arctic: Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Scandinavia and Russia. Some move south in winter."
    },
    {
      "question": "How do you say gyrfalcon?",
      "answer": "JER-fal-kun."
    }
  ],
  "sourceUpdate": null,
  "evidence": [],
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Aves",
    "order": "Falconiformes",
    "family": "Falconidae",
    "genus": "Falco"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1.4,
    "lengthM": 0,
    "topSpeedKmh": 0,
    "lifespanYears": 0
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Falco rusticolus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Mainly ptarmigan and other birds; Arctic ground squirrels and hares"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Arctic tundra, coasts and mountains"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "0.8–2.1 kg; females heavier"
    },
    {
      "label": "Oldest known",
      "value": "About 13.5 years (banded wild bird)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Range",
      "value": "Around the Arctic"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2021)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Around the Arctic in Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Scandinavia and Russia.",
    "continents": [
      "North America",
      "Europe",
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.",
      "url": "https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/gyrfalcon-falco-rusticolus"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web: Falco rusticolus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Falco_rusticolus/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.",
      "url": "https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gyrfalcon/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gyrfalcon/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}