Description | The gyrfalcon (or ) is a bird of prey (Falco rusticolus), the largest of the falcon species. The abbreviation gyr is also used. It breeds on Arctic coasts and tundra, and the islands of northern North America, Europe, and Asia. It is mainly a resident there also, but some gyrfalcons disperse more widely after the breeding season, or in winter. Individual vagrancy can take birds for long distances. Its plumage varies with location, with birds being coloured from all-white to dark brown. These colour variations are called morphs. Like other falcons, it shows sexual dimorphism, with the female much larger than the male. For centuries, the gyrfalcon has been valued as a hunting bird. Typical prey includes the ptarmigan and waterfowl, which it may take in flight; it also takes fish and mammals.
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Source Data | |
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Rank | species |
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Taxonomy (GBIF) | Life : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Falconiformes : Falconidae : Falco : Falco swarthi |
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Taxonomy (PBDB) | Life : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Falconiformes : Falconidae : Falco : Falco swarthi |
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Taxonomic Status (GBIF) | accepted |
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Classification (PBDB,GBIF) | |
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Generic Name | Falco |
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Scientific Name | Falco swarthi Miller, 1927 |
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Opinions (PBDB) | Name | Rank | Opinion | Evidence | Author |
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Falco swarthi | species | belongs to Falco | stated with evidence | Miller, 1927 | Falco swarthi | species | belongs to Falco | stated without evidence | Lambrecht, 1933 |
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Status (PBDB) | extinct |
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Taxon Size (PBDB) | 1 |
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First Recorded Appearance | 0.13 - 0.01 Ma Pleistocene |
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Last Recorded Appearance | 0.13 - 0.01 Ma Pleistocene |
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Environment | terrestrial (based on Falconidae) |
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Motility | actively mobile (based on Theropoda) |
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Diet | carnivore (based on Falconidae) |
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Reproduction | oviparous, dispersal=direct/internal,mobile (based on Theropoda) |
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Ontogeny | accretion,modification of parts (based on Theropoda) |
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Taphonomy | hydroxylapatite,compact or dense (based on Theropoda) |
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Primary Reference (PBDB) | K. Lambrecht. 1933. Handbuch der Palaeornithologie. |
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Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falco_swarthi |
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