Gyrfalcon
Latin: Falco rusticolus (Linné 1758)
Svenska: Jaktfalk
Deutsch: Gerfalke
The largest falcon
The gyrfalcon is the largest falcon in the world. It hunts ptarmigan in the mountains by flying very quickly and hitting the prey with its wings.
Gyrfalcons build their nests on mountain precipices, the closest to Uppland being in northern Dalarna and Härjedalen. It is quite rare, and is a protected species in Sweden. If you want to see a gyrfalcon in Uppland, you need a lot of luck!
Photo: Thomas Hultquist ©
Latest sightings of gyrfalcons in Uppland
NatureGate on the gyrfalcon
Wikipedia article on the gyrfalcon