Animal Facts

A large northern (native to Alaska and Canada, and occasionally venturing as far south as the upper continental US) raptor with three natural "Alts" - white, grey, and dark - the Gyrfalcon has been beloved of falconers since medieval times, when they were so prized that only a king could hunt with one. Sometimes referred to collectively as a ringing up, stooping up (for their flight patterns), bazaar or tower of falcons, they were also called an "eyrie" as a group, a term which nowadays more frequently means a nest site.

Like many birds native to the arctic far north, they often breed and lay their eggs when the temperatures are still well below freezing. The Gyr, largest true falcon in the world, lives mostly on a diet of other birds (ptarmigan and grouse), but will also take small mammals and even fish. When prey is scarce in their usual habitat, they travel south and can be seen in places like northern Oklahoma for brief periods.

Its smaller relative, the Peregrine, has recently begun making its home in urban areas, to the delight of many city residents who have never seen a living raptor before. The number of people who have organized to aid and protect these visitors is heartwarming.