Birds of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance
Gyrfalcon - Falco rusticolus
FALCONIDAE Members:
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General Comments The only state record for the Gyrfalcon is of one individual, of the gray morph, observed sitting in a plowed field near Bayboro (Pamlico), on 10 Feb 1992* [Chat 59:69-70 link]. The NC BRC not only accepted the report as to species but also as to wild origin [Chat 58:85-88 link]; however, as no photos were taken, the species was placed on the Provisional List. To put the record in perspective, there are three accepted records of this rare Arctic-nesting raptor for Virginia (Rottenborn and Brinkley 2007).
Breeding Status Nonbreeder
NC BRC List Provisional
State Status
U.S. Status
State Rank SA
Global Rank G5
Coastal Plain One record (see above).
Piedmont No records.
Mountains No records.
Finding Tips
1/2*
Attribution LeGrand[2023-03-23], LeGrand[2018-02-01], LeGrand[2012-05-20]
NC Map
Map depicts all counties with a report (transient or resident) for the species.
Click on county for list of all known species.