Southern Extension to the Breeding Range of the Gyrfalcon, &lt;i&gt;Falco Rusticolus&lt;/i&gt;, in Eastern North America

Brodeur, Serge; Morneau, François; Décarie, Robert; DesGranges, Jean-Luc; Negro, Juan J.

doi:10.14430/arctic1228

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Based on several government reports (e.g., Goudie et al 1993), currently Gyrfalcons apparently do not breed farther south in Labrador than Harp Lake at about 55ºN inland from Hopedale. There is also a recent record of nesting on Long Island along the eastern shore of Hudson Bay at 54º53'N (Brodeur et al 1995). The two nesting records from extreme southern Labrador may represent the last of a breeding group of Gyrfalcons that had extended their range down the Labrador coast during the Little Ice Age, when arctic conditions existed further south than they do today.…”

Section: Recent Changes In Distributionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Biological Traits of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus ) in Relation to Climate Change.

Cade¹

2011

Gyrfalcons and Ptarmigan in a Changing World

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Largest of the true falcons (Falco spp.), the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the northernmost diurnal raptor with a circumpolar breeding distribution restricted to subarctic and arctic zones between 55º and 82º N. Some Gyrfalcons migrate south into north temperate zones in winter, but others remain in northern latitudes wherever suitable prey occurs. A review of the Gyrfalcon's ecological relationships and what is known about its population history reveals some vulnerability to the potential effects of climate change on arctic environments, but also some possible mitigating adjustments. The Gyrfalcon relies on two ptarmigan species (Lagopus spp.) for 50-90% of its diet biomass, so it is likely that an effect of climate change on Gyrfalcons will be mediated through impacts on ptarmigan. The Gyrfalcon has trophic relations with other birds and mammals that may allow for adjustment to reduced availability of ptarmigan. The Gyrfalcon's main prey has fluctuated drastically in numbers from year to year; in peak food years a maximum number of pairs nest, but in years with low prey abundance, few breed. Under climate change the 10-year population cycles of ptarmigan and hares and the 3-4 year cycles of microtine rodents exhibit lower peaks and less regularity. Whether these population changes will persist and what they portend for predators needs study. Historically the Gyrfalcon has been the earliest nesting raptor in the Arctic. Climate change is lengthening the arctic summer, but it is unclear how Gyrfalcon breeding phenology will be influenced by this change. It could be advantageous in spring and autumn by allowing new trophic relationships. Interspecific relations with other raptors nesting in the Arctic may be influenced by climate change. The Gyrfalcon and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) are potential competitors for nesting sites and food. In West Greenland, where nesting peregrines have increased dramatically in the past 50 years and Gyrfalcons have decreased, it has been suggested that the increasing number of peregrines may be forcing gyrs to abandon territories by interference competition over nest-sites or by feeding so persistently on ptarmigan during the breeding season that numbers surviving through winter are insufficient to induce gyrs to lay. The Gyrfalcon and Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) are allopatric populations of closely related groups of falcons. If climate change were to alter biomes so that breeding Gyrfalcons and Saker Falcons come together, interbreeding and extensive introgression of genes likely would occur. Such hybridization might help Gyrfalcons adapt to changed ecological conditions resulting from global warming. The Gyrfalcon has a long historical association with mankind. Captive propagation now provides many Gyrfalcons for falconry. This technique could provide offspring for replenishing wild populations, should the need arise. Wild Gyrfalcons use various, manmade structures for nesting, and this habit offers a possibility to establish pairs in areas with a good food supply but...

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Section: Recent Changes In Distributionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Biological Traits of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus ) in Relation to Climate Change.

Cade¹

2011

Gyrfalcons and Ptarmigan in a Changing World

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Southern Extension to the Breeding Range of the Gyrfalcon, <i>Falco Rusticolus</i>, in Eastern North America

Cited by 1 publication

References 5 publications

Biological Traits of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus ) in Relation to Climate Change.

Biological Traits of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus ) in Relation to Climate Change.

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