NatureCounts - The State of Canada's Birds

Gyrfalcon

Falco rusticolus

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Summary Population Trends Population Goals

Distribution More species Methods Acknowledgements

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The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.

The formidable Gyrfalcon is the largest falcon in the world, and its massive proportions are well-adapted to its rugged tundra habitat. It is a skillful hunter of other birds from songbirds to ptarmigan, geese, and even other raptors, sometimes supplementing its diet with mammals such as lemmings or hares.

Summary

National

Trend

Moderate Decrease

Confidence: Low

Goal

Below Goal Range

The Gyrfalcon has a circumpolar distribution, with its Canadian breeding range spanning the alpine and tundra regions of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. It winters from there southward to the Prairies and to a lesser extent in other parts of southern Canada and the northern United States. There are approximately 33,000 individuals in Canada, representing 40% of the global population and a medium degree of responsibility for Canada. An additional 9,000 individuals breeding in Alaska may at least occasionally migrate to or through Canada as well, potentially increasing the total to as high as 42,000, just over half the global total, corresponding to high responsibility. The Christmas Bird Count indicates that the North American population has experienced a moderate decrease since 1970, but confidence is low because of limited geographic coverage. The national population of Gyrfalcon is below its goal range.

Migration Strategy

Short-distance

Resident

Canadian Responsibility

High

Population Estimates

Breeding 33,000

Annual 42,000

Global 83,000

Population Trends

The Canadian population of Gyrfalcon is not well monitored because of the scarcity of survey effort in its range. The continental Christmas Bird Count (CBC) results provide the best insights into the Canadian population, which accounts for over three-quarters of the North American total. The CBC provides only moderate coverage of the wintering range and is not as systematic as some other surveys, but the long-term trend estimates are considered highly precise even though there is broad uncertainty around annual indices. The CBC trend shows a gradual but steady decline since 1970, amounting to a cumulative loss of 43%.

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Population Goals

The goal for Gyrfalcon is to increase the population to the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Christmas Bird Count. Trend data show that Gyrfalcon is currently below its goal range, but it has declined only slowly over the past decade. Analysis of recent trends and potential growth rates suggests that Gyrfalcon could reach its population goal by 2050 with the support of conservation action.

National

Canada

Population Goal

Return to historical abundance

Population status relative to goal

Below Goal Range

Goal is based on Christmas Bird Count

Designations