Hades (photo Bob Rogers)

This month, we focus on one of the most impressive of the birds of prey, the Gyrfalcon. Alternate spellings are gerfalcon and jerfalcon. The name may come from a Latin word meaning ‘sacred falcon’. The species name is Falco rusticolus, and it is the largest and most powerful of all the falcons. In falconry's medieval heyday, the gyrfalcon was the most highly prized of all the falcons, possessed only by royalty.

These are birds of the arctic and sub-arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. The majority of the breeding range is found north of 60 degrees while in parts of Eastern Canada they can be found breeding to 55 degrees, mainly along sea coasts. Their typical habitat is the tundra and mountains with cliffs and a few patches of trees.

His first outing on a members' evening as seen by Ann Lindholm

Foraging areas may include coastal areas and beaches that are used heavily by waterfowl, or the open tundra where tail chases on ptarmigan and larger mammals are common. Amongst their prey are grouse, seabirds, ground squirrels and lemmings. They are broader winged and longer tailed than the Peregrine, and tend to hunt with a horizontal pursuit rather than a stoop from altitude. Their immense strength means that they can maintain a fast chase over a long distance, and they will often catch their prey by exhausting it. Indeed, they are faster than the Peregrine in horizontal flight, and it has been calculated that, because of their weight, they could be faster in the stoop if that was their preferred method of attack.

His first public flight - this image by Alan Moss

They often actually overtake their prey and then pull up before diving down for the kill. Like other falcons, they have a notch in their beaks that they use to break their victims’ necks. When they do dive, measurements have been made which show forces on their bodies of up to 25g; a fighter pilot cannot withstand much more than 5g without a special suit!

Although strictly solitary hunters, these birds are monogamous and mate for life. Males begin defending nesting territory in mid-winter, about the end of January, while females generally arrive at nesting sites near the beginning of March. Pair bonding occurs for about 6 weeks, and subsequently the eggs are usually laid near the end of April. The nest is usually on a cliff edge and normally between 1 and 6 eggs are laid.

Hades in demonstration. Photo by Paul Tiller

The young are hatched after about 35 days. Fledging takes place at around 7 weeks, and they are dependent on their parents for a further 4 weeks; they become sexually mature after 2 to 3 years.

These large falcons typically weigh in at around 2.3lbs for a male and 3.75 lbs. for a female. They have wingspans of 4-4.5ft, which is similar to our European Buzzard.
Their coloration is unmistakable, being recognised in three phases: white, grey, and dark. The dark phase is dark grey, almost black in some individuals, and groups of this phase are found in northern Canada. The grey phase is an intermediate coloration and is found throughout the range.

In full stoop by Linda Wright

The white phase is generally found in Greenland, and is usually almost pure white with some markings, usually on the wings. These white-phase Gyr falcons are probably the most highly sought after of all the falconry birds.

We were most fortunate here at the Conservancy to be offered our own Gyr falcon, Hades. He came to us from HM Customs and Excise, having been confiscated as an illegal import. He was not permitted a return to his native country, and, as we are on the list of collections with a permit to receive such birds, he is now permanently resident with us. He is about four years old, was trained earlier this year by Gary, one of our falconers, and progressed well into becoming a display bird. Indeed, he made a spectacular sight stooping to the lure and became a photographer’s dream. Unfortunately, his instincts took over rather too often and he had the habit of disappearing over the horizon in pursuit of local pigeons, which rather curtailed his displays. As a result, he was temporarily ‘grounded’ for the latter part of the season, which coincided with his moult anyway. As for the future, he may well be back in displays next season, if he can be persuaded to behave; in any case, he will always be a major attraction and the pride of many a visitor’s photographic collection.