• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Gyrfalcon" - BirdForum Opus

m (clarify location from gallery)
(Fix error (not breeding in Denmark) and add other info)
Line 7: Line 7:
 
Circumpolar.  In [[North America]] breeds in much of [[Alaska]], much of Arctic [[Canada]] and in coastal [[Greenland]]. In winter ranges south throughout most of [[Canada]] and rarely to the northern [[United States]]. Very rarely wanders south as far as northern [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[Pennsylvania]] and [[New Jersey]].  
 
Circumpolar.  In [[North America]] breeds in much of [[Alaska]], much of Arctic [[Canada]] and in coastal [[Greenland]]. In winter ranges south throughout most of [[Canada]] and rarely to the northern [[United States]]. Very rarely wanders south as far as northern [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[Pennsylvania]] and [[New Jersey]].  
  
In Eurasia breeds in [[Iceland]] and in the mountains and north of [[Norway]], [[Sweden]] and [[Denmark]], the north of the Kola Peninsula and coastal Arctic [[Russia]] east to Kamchatka. In winter ranges south to southern [[Norway]], central [[Finland]] and across [[Russia]] to about 60 degrees north. In the east a rare winter visitor to north-east [[China]] and Hokkaido, [[Japan]].
+
In Eurasia breeds in [[Iceland]] and in the mountains and north of [[Norway]], [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] (rare), the north of the Kola Peninsula and coastal Arctic [[Russia]] east to Kamchatka. Scandinavian birds are mainly resident year-round, with juveniles more apt to wandering; Russian birds almost all migrants. In winter ranges south to southern [[Norway]], central [[Finland]] and across [[Russia]] to about 60 degrees north. In the east a rare winter visitor to north-east [[China]] and Hokkaido, [[Japan]].
  
Recorded as a vagrant to most European countries from [[Svalbard]] and the [[Faroes]] in the north to [[Portugal]], [[Spain]] and the [[Balearics]], northern [[Italy]], [[Switzerland]] and the [[Ukraine]] in the south. Annually recorded in [[Britain]] (c.120 modern records) and [[Ireland]].  
+
Recorded as a vagrant to most European countries from [[Svalbard]] and the [[Faroes]] in the north to [[Portugal]], [[Spain]] and the [[Balearics]], northern [[Italy]], [[Switzerland]] and the [[Ukraine]] in the south. Annually recorded in [[Britain]] (c.120 modern records), [[Ireland]], and [[Denmark]].  
  
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
+
This species is monotypic.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
Breeds on cliffs, inland in mountains or tundra river-valleys, or in the far north along sea-coasts. Migrants hunt over open steppes, marshes or cultivated land.
+
Breeds on cliffs, inland in mountains or tundra river-valleys, or in the far north along sea-coasts; in areas with trees may also breed in old nest of e.g., [[Rough-legged Buzzard]]. Migrants hunt over open steppes, marshes or cultivated land.
  
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 +
The male often starts defending the territory in January, even if the female is not yet present. The pair performs flight display over the nesting site before egg-laying starts. Normally, birds are two years old before starting to breed.
 +
 +
In Western Palearctis, the most important food seems to be Grouse and Ptarmigan.
 
==Voice==
 
==Voice==
 
<flashmp3>Falco rusticolus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
<flashmp3>Falco rusticolus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />

Revision as of 20:44, 27 January 2008

Falco rusticolus
Photo by Gaukur.
Photo taken: Husavik harbour, Iceland.
2nd cy bird.

Identification

Distribution

Circumpolar. In North America breeds in much of Alaska, much of Arctic Canada and in coastal Greenland. In winter ranges south throughout most of Canada and rarely to the northern United States. Very rarely wanders south as far as northern California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

In Eurasia breeds in Iceland and in the mountains and north of Norway, Sweden and Finland (rare), the north of the Kola Peninsula and coastal Arctic Russia east to Kamchatka. Scandinavian birds are mainly resident year-round, with juveniles more apt to wandering; Russian birds almost all migrants. In winter ranges south to southern Norway, central Finland and across Russia to about 60 degrees north. In the east a rare winter visitor to north-east China and Hokkaido, Japan.

Recorded as a vagrant to most European countries from Svalbard and the Faroes in the north to Portugal, Spain and the Balearics, northern Italy, Switzerland and the Ukraine in the south. Annually recorded in Britain (c.120 modern records), Ireland, and Denmark.

Taxonomy

This species is monotypic.

Habitat

Breeds on cliffs, inland in mountains or tundra river-valleys, or in the far north along sea-coasts; in areas with trees may also breed in old nest of e.g., Rough-legged Buzzard. Migrants hunt over open steppes, marshes or cultivated land.

Behaviour

The male often starts defending the territory in January, even if the female is not yet present. The pair performs flight display over the nesting site before egg-laying starts. Normally, birds are two years old before starting to breed.

In Western Palearctis, the most important food seems to be Grouse and Ptarmigan.

Voice

<flashmp3>Falco rusticolus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

Back
Top