Gyrfalcon

The gyrfalcon is a very special, very large, falcon. The gyrfalcon has lots of fluffy feathers on its legs. It looks as if he is wearing warm wellies. These "boots" help him keep warm in cold weather. He also has very pretty bright yellow paws. They are very strong and help him catch his prey.

The gyrfalcon is one of the fastest birds on the planet! When it flies, it flies like an arrow.

The best part is that female gyrfalcons are slightly larger than boys. A female gyrfalcon can weigh up to 2kg, imagine! That's almost like two cartons of milk. And the boys are smaller, they weigh about 1kg.

Where the gyrfalcon lives

This bird lives where there is a lot of snow and cold: in northern forests, tundra and mountains. Some gyrfalcons always live in the same place, while others move back and forth depending on the season.

What a gyrfalcon eats

The gyrfalcon is a predator. This means that it eats other animals. It preys on small rodents, hares, and even other birds. He has very sharp claws and quick reactions, which helps him be a great hunter.

How gyrfalcons become mum and dad

The gyrfalcons fall in love and become a couple when they are two years old. They don't really like to build their own houses and sometimes live in houses that have been left by crows or other birds. These houses are found on rocks or in special hollows. They can live in the same place for many years!

A mumgyrfalcon lays 3 or 4 eggs in her lodge. She sits on them to keep them warm and daddy brings her food. When the little fluffy chicks hatch from the eggs, Mum covers them from the cold with her wings. And daddy looks for food for them. When the chicks get bigger, both mum and dad fly to find food for them. They bring food, divide it into pieces and give it to the babies.

When the babies become a month and a half old, they learn to fly. In late summer, when they are adults, the chicks begin to fly together and look for new places to live.

Features of the gyrfalcon

The gyrfalcon has very beautiful plumage: it is dark on top and light coloured underneath. This helps him camouflage himself in the sky when he hunts. He also has large eyes so he can see his prey at a far distance.

Now you know a little more about the gyrfalcon, a beautiful and intelligent bird with sharp talons!