Lutz - almost all falconers obtain gryfalcons from breeders, even the arabs. A small number in North America are allowed to legally take them from the wild, but it is an insignifigant amount. Falconry has been shown to pose no threat to wild raptors.
Perching gyrfalcon/gerfalcon on outcrop of rock in (presumably) summer plummage in arctic Norway looks round intelligently and is unafraid of human presence. I see. Interesting. Are gerfalcons/gyrfalcons an endangered species? I certainly hope not. They are such beautiful and graceful birds of prey.
Well, they are endangered in places where hunting pressure on Grouse, their favourite prey, is too strong. AND there are egg-collectors and thieves who sell chicks to falconers, especially in the Middle East where people are ready to pay a fortune for them. But I do not think it is a globally threatened bird.
Are they protected in Norway? One would think so. I couldn't imagine too many gerfalcons being left in Scotland where grouse hunting is, or at least was, common. And I knew that they were prized for falconry, where that ancient sport is still practised. I wonder how the shrinking ice cap is affecting the gerfalcon's habitat, hunting, and breeding. Personally, I'd like to see this bird's egg collectors shot on sight.
I am certain there are no breeding Gyrfalcons in Scotland. Actually I wonder whether there have ever been any; it's too far south I think. And they are certainly (very well) protected all over Fennoscandia. I am not sure that global warming is a short term threat to this species as long as it does not seriously affect grouse populations. Some falcons are specialized in seabirds; they can do without grouse in bad years.
Yes, of course. Scotland would be too far south for gerfalcons. I'm glad to read that they are protected; I hope the governments concerned are hard on egg collectors and chick snatchers. Hopefully, there will not be too many lean years ahead for the gerfalcon and they will not be forced to eating seabirds. Let us hope grouse remains plentiful in the gerfalcon's hunting grounds.
Lutz - almost all falconers obtain gryfalcons from breeders, even the arabs. A small number in North America are allowed to legally take them from the wild, but it is an insignifigant amount. Falconry has been shown to pose no threat to wild raptors.
manganjames1 3 years ago
Perching gyrfalcon/gerfalcon on outcrop of rock in (presumably) summer plummage in arctic Norway looks round intelligently and is unafraid of human presence. I see. Interesting. Are gerfalcons/gyrfalcons an endangered species? I certainly hope not. They are such beautiful and graceful birds of prey.
steenvalk88 4 years ago
Well, they are endangered in places where hunting pressure on Grouse, their favourite prey, is too strong. AND there are egg-collectors and thieves who sell chicks to falconers, especially in the Middle East where people are ready to pay a fortune for them. But I do not think it is a globally threatened bird.
lutz6lucker 4 years ago
Are they protected in Norway? One would think so. I couldn't imagine too many gerfalcons being left in Scotland where grouse hunting is, or at least was, common. And I knew that they were prized for falconry, where that ancient sport is still practised. I wonder how the shrinking ice cap is affecting the gerfalcon's habitat, hunting, and breeding. Personally, I'd like to see this bird's egg collectors shot on sight.
steenvalk88 4 years ago
I am certain there are no breeding Gyrfalcons in Scotland. Actually I wonder whether there have ever been any; it's too far south I think. And they are certainly (very well) protected all over Fennoscandia. I am not sure that global warming is a short term threat to this species as long as it does not seriously affect grouse populations. Some falcons are specialized in seabirds; they can do without grouse in bad years.
lutz6lucker 4 years ago
Yes, of course. Scotland would be too far south for gerfalcons. I'm glad to read that they are protected; I hope the governments concerned are hard on egg collectors and chick snatchers. Hopefully, there will not be too many lean years ahead for the gerfalcon and they will not be forced to eating seabirds. Let us hope grouse remains plentiful in the gerfalcon's hunting grounds.
steenvalk88 4 years ago
There plumage only change in there first year and slight changes as they age. That bird would be juvy "first year" or dark phase. :)
flipperisgay 4 years ago