| Revision as of 17:08, 12 September 2005 edit152.121.200.200 (talk) Formatting← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:29, 21 September 2005 edit undo86.135.49.5 (talk) link to an image; etcNext edit → | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
| {{Taxobox end}} | {{Taxobox end}} | ||
| The '''Gyr Falcon''' (''Falco rusticolus''), also spelled '''Gyrfalcon''', is a large ]. This species breeds on Arctic coasts and islands of ], ] and ]. It is mainly resident, but some |
The '''Gyr Falcon''' (''Falco rusticolus''), also spelled '''Gyrfalcon''', is a large ]. This species breeds on Arctic coasts and islands of ], ] and ]. It is mainly resident, but some ] more widely, after the breeding season, or in winter. The 'G' is pronounced as "j" in "jar". | ||
| The word came from ] ''gerfaucon'', and is written in ] as ''gyrofalco''. The first part may come from ] ''gîr'' (= modern ] ''Geier'') = "]", referring to its size compared to other ]s. | The word came from ] ''gerfaucon'', and is written in ] as ''gyrofalco''. The first part may come from ] ''gîr'' (= modern ] ''Geier'') = "]", referring to its size compared to other ]s. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
| It is a ] of ] and mountains, with ]s or a few patches of trees. It lays 2-6 eggs on a cliff ledge nest. | It is a ] of ] and mountains, with ]s or a few patches of trees. It lays 2-6 eggs on a cliff ledge nest. | ||
| This is the largest ], at more than 60cm in length with a wingspan up to 130cm, similar to the ]. It is like a large ] in general structure, but broader-winged and longer-tailed than |
This is the largest ], at more than 60cm in length with a wingspan up to 130cm, similar to the ]. It is like a large ] in general structure, but broader-winged and longer-tailed than the Peregrine. It usually hunts by horizontal pursuit, rather than the Peregrine's ] from a height, and takes ] and small ] prey such as ]s and ]s. | ||
| Plumage is very variable in this species, although typically adults have slate-grey back and wings, and young birds are browner. Sexes are similar. ] Gyr Falcons have white plumage, flecked with grey on the back and wings. Other geographical forms are varying intensities of grey in coloration: the ]ic form is the palest, and ]n forms are considerably darker. | Plumage is very variable in this species, although typically adults have slate-grey back and wings, and young birds are browner. Sexes are similar. ] Gyr Falcons have white plumage, flecked with grey on the back and wings. Other geographical forms are varying intensities of grey in coloration: the ]ic form is the palest, and ]n forms are considerably darker. | ||
| In ] Gyrfacons are very expensive to buy, and thus owners and breeders of gyrfalcons tend to keep them secret to avoid ]. They tend to fly long distances, and the falconer should be able and prepared to travel long distances to retrieve his Gyrfalcon, which should carry a good radio-tracker. | In ] Gyrfacons are very expensive to buy, and thus owners and breeders of gyrfalcons tend to keep them secret to avoid ]. They tend to fly long distances, and the falconer should be able and prepared to travel long distances to retrieve his Gyrfalcon, which should carry a good radio-tracker. | ||
| There is an image of a gyrfalcon at . | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 09:29, 21 September 2005
Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry Template:Taxobox species entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section binomial Template:Taxobox end
The Gyr Falcon (Falco rusticolus), also spelled Gyrfalcon, is a large bird of prey. This species breeds on Arctic coasts and islands of North America, Europe and Asia. It is mainly resident, but some disperse more widely, after the breeding season, or in winter. The 'G' is pronounced as "j" in "jar".
The word came from French gerfaucon, and is written in mediaeval Latin as gyrofalco. The first part may come from Old High German gîr (= modern German Geier) = "vulture", referring to its size compared to other falcons.
It is a bird of tundra and mountains, with cliffs or a few patches of trees. It lays 2-6 eggs on a cliff ledge nest.
This is the largest falcon, at more than 60cm in length with a wingspan up to 130cm, similar to the Common Buzzard. It is like a large Peregrine Falcon in general structure, but broader-winged and longer-tailed than the Peregrine. It usually hunts by horizontal pursuit, rather than the Peregrine's stoop from a height, and takes bird and small mammal prey such as Ptarmigans and lemmings.
Plumage is very variable in this species, although typically adults have slate-grey back and wings, and young birds are browner. Sexes are similar. Greenland Gyr Falcons have white plumage, flecked with grey on the back and wings. Other geographical forms are varying intensities of grey in coloration: the Icelandic form is the palest, and Eurasian forms are considerably darker.
In falconry Gyrfacons are very expensive to buy, and thus owners and breeders of gyrfalcons tend to keep them secret to avoid theft. They tend to fly long distances, and the falconer should be able and prepared to travel long distances to retrieve his Gyrfalcon, which should carry a good radio-tracker.
There is an image of a gyrfalcon at this link.
Categories: