Illustration of gyrfalcon
gyrfalcon
noun
gyr·fal·con ˈjər-ˌfal-kən 
-ˌfȯl-,
also -ˌfȯ-kən
: an arctic falcon (Falco rusticolus) that occurs in several color forms and is the largest of all falcons
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Among al-Kāmil’s gifts to Frederick was a gyrfalcon, a splendid bird of prey that originates in the Arctic and North America, and likely came from Iceland, then almost at the northwestern edge of European exploration. 
Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 28 June 2021 Now the gyrfalcon’s year-round home is the fastest-warming region on Earth. George Steinmetz, National Geographic, 24 July 2020 Pictured, below left: These gyrfalcon chicks are about 25 days old and ready to be banded by biologists so they can be identified in the future. George Steinmetz, National Geographic, 24 July 2020 What does a gyrfalcon, aerial queen of the Arctic, look like in its own domain? George Steinmetz, National Geographic, 24 July 2020 Emperors flew eagles and vultures; kings flew gyrfalcons; and ladies flew merlins, a species favored by Mary, Queen of Scots, in the 16th century. Kate Donnelly, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2020 Only 3% of all falcons are gyrfalcons, and only 1% of gyrfalcons are white, the academy said. Ryan Prior, CNN, 2 Oct. 2019 To give context of their rarity, 3 percent of all falcons are gyrfalcons, and only 1 percent of that 3 percent are white. Ryan Prior, CNN, 2 Oct. 2019 For example, kings could fly gyrfalcons, and servants could fly kestrels. Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 15 Nov. 2019 See More
Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 28 June 2021 Now the gyrfalcon’s year-round home is the fastest-warming region on Earth. George Steinmetz, National Geographic, 24 July 2020 Pictured, below left: These gyrfalcon chicks are about 25 days old and ready to be banded by biologists so they can be identified in the future. George Steinmetz, National Geographic, 24 July 2020 What does a gyrfalcon, aerial queen of the Arctic, look like in its own domain? George Steinmetz, National Geographic, 24 July 2020 Emperors flew eagles and vultures; kings flew gyrfalcons; and ladies flew merlins, a species favored by Mary, Queen of Scots, in the 16th century. Kate Donnelly, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2020 Only 3% of all falcons are gyrfalcons, and only 1% of gyrfalcons are white, the academy said. Ryan Prior, CNN, 2 Oct. 2019 To give context of their rarity, 3 percent of all falcons are gyrfalcons, and only 1 percent of that 3 percent are white. Ryan Prior, CNN, 2 Oct. 2019 For example, kings could fly gyrfalcons, and servants could fly kestrels. Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 15 Nov. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English gerfaucun, from Anglo-French girfauc, girfaucon, probably from gir vulture (from Old High German gīr) + faucon falcon
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above