Gyrfalcon

Also known as Gyr, Arctic Falcon, White Falcon

Gyrfalcons dominate the Arctic as the largest falcon species on Earth, hunting ptarmigans and waterfowl with powerful, sustained pursuit flights across freezing tundra and rugged sea cliffs. Their striking plumage ranges from pristine snowy white in the high northern islands to deep charcoal grey in subarctic regions. Females build no nests of their own, instead taking over stick nests built by ravens or laying eggs directly on bare cliff ledges.