The gyrfalcon rules the skies in the northern regions of the world. This predator lives in frigid terrain where many other birds can't survive. Perched on a cliff, the bird surveys open areas to find prey. When the world's largest and most powerful falcon spots a victim, it strikes with incredible force. It can kill prey in the air and on the ground; the bird inspires such terror it even scares potential prey out of their hiding spots. It then uses its sharp talons and hooked beak to make the kill.
Bad Mouth: Like all birds of prey, the gyrfalcon has a strong, hooked beak. This falcon's beak is short and uneven on the edges so it can grip prey and snap their necks with a quick twist.
Strong Bird: The gyrfalcon is the biggest and strongest of all falcons around the world. Many of the water birds it kills weigh more than the falcon; it can easily fly while carrying victims that weigh up to four and a half pounds.
Terror of the Tundra[]
A wide wingspan gives this falcon great power in flight.
Trees aren't for this bird. The gyrfalcon prefers the icy, treeless tundra of the Arctic Circle, especially rocky areas and mountain ridges. Sitting on a high cliff, the falcon has a great view of the landscape-its huge eyes help it spot prey that often blend in with the snowy surroundings. Its favorite prey, a white grouse-like bird called the ptarmigan, stands little chance of surviving an attack. The gyrfalcon flies low and at high speeds to startle its target into flight, then swoops up and dives down to cripple the victim with a blow from its sharp talons.
Flush 'Em Out: Birds and small mammals often hide from this bird of prey in small bushes. This doesn't faze the gyrfalcon; it repeatedly dives at the bush to frighten the victim so it will flush out into the open.
No Eggs: Nesting gyrfalcons don't tolerate predators coming anywhere near their nest. Adults attack everything from foxes, eagles and even vicious wolverines that might try to make a meal out of their eggs.
In Flight Meal[]
- Spotting a ptarmigan on the ground, a gyrfalcon sets off into a low flight toward its target. The smaller bird is startled by the falcon's approach and launches into flight.
- As the ptarmigan panics, the gyrfalcon gains some altitude, constantly calculating its angle of attack to match the ptarmigan's flight pattern.
- The falcon dives and strikes the ptarmigan, digging its sharp talons into its back. The gyrfalcon carries the victim to the ground and makes the kill with its beak.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The card's front illustration is also used in the Wildlife Explorer series, for the Gyrfalcon's profile. The image stays the same in orientation, although the Weird n' Wild version actually adds a tiny bit more branch by the left foot (usually, the Weird n' Wild cards have less environmental objects).
- The photo of the flying gyrfalcon on the back, and the illustrations for "In Flight Meal" are also shared with the Wildlife Explorer card. The latter, titled "Snow Business", features an extra first image of the gyrfalcon scanning its surroundings while perched on a rock.