gyrfalcon: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	Falco rusticolus

Photos

Illustration showing the heads of six falconiform birds: a black vulture (Coragyps atratus), a lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus), a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), a hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus), and a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), each labeled with their common and scientific names.

Hand-colored engraving by John James Audubon showing two Iceland or gyrfalcons; one stands on a rocky ledge eating prey, while the other spreads its wings above.

See All Images →

Topics

Falco peregrine falcon merlin Where Do Falcons Typically Live?kestrel hobby

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

pigeon. pigeon and dove. member of the order Columbiformes, family Columbidae

Ultimate Bird Trivia Quiz

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

turkey vulture. vulture. Close-up of a head and beak of a Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).

A Little Bird Told Me

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.

Ultimate Animals Quiz