Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
Partners in Flight (2020) estimate the population in Canada and the USA to be c.42,000 mature individuals, and the global population to be c.83,000 mature individuals. However, Franke et al. (2019) estimate the population in Canada and the USA to be just 1,860-3,725 breeding pairs (equating to 3,720-7,450 mature individuals), and the global population to be 6,301-10,278 breeding pairs (equating to 12,602-20,556 mature individuals). The European population is estimated at 1,000-1,800 pairs, which equates to 2,000-3,500 mature individuals (BirdLife International in prep.). Europe forms approximately 13% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 15,400-26,900 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed. It is placed in the band 12,600-55,300 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The overall trend is thought to be stable (Franke et al. 2019). In North America, the species has undergone a decline over the last five decades, at a rate equivalent to 18% over the last three generations (Partners in Flight 2020). Note, however, that these surveys cover less than 50% of the species's range in North America. In Europe, the population trend size is estimated to be stable (BirdLife International in prep.). The Russian population trend is also thought to be relatively stable (Russia constitutes approximately 37% of the species's total range) (Potapov 2011).
The species is threatened by the collection of eggs and young for the falconry market (Tucker and Heath 1994) with an unknown number collected each year within Europe (White et al. 2013). Some 1,000-2,000 birds are thought to be killed annually by trappers in Siberia (White et al. 2013). Illegal shooting also occurs in some areas such as Norway and Sweden. In parts of Fennoscandia, intensive hunting of grouse (Tucker and Heath 1994), such as Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) and Willow Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) may affect numbers of this species. In the past, Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus) trapping was the main threat in Russia (Potapov 2011). Disturbance of nests through tourism is also a problem (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997). The species is also threatened by climate change (Booms et al. 2011). It was not affected by organochlorines in the 1960s and 1970s (White et al. 2013), however it was found to contain very high levels of organochlorines which probably derive from marine prey (Ólafsdóttir et al. 2001). In Russia, disturbance caused by oil pipeline installation may pose a threat in some regions, however in others abandoned oil extraction rigs provide new nesting sites and may therefore be beneficial (Potapov 2011). Development of the oil industry also facilitates development of roads, which make it easier for illegal bird trappers to access nests (Potapov 2011).
Conservation actions underway
CITES Appendix I, CMS Appendix II, Raptors MOU Category 3, EU Birds Directive Annex I. Some independent, long-term monitoring in parts of Greenland, Canada and Alaska, though not coordinated (Booms et al. 2020). Breeding schemes are in place in at least four European countries (Derlink et al. 2018).
Conservation actions needed
The relative inaccessibility of many parts of this species's range mean that many aspects of its biology remain unstudied. Further research is needed to more accurately estimate population size and trends, and to determine the nature and cause of annual fluctuations in breeding populations in some areas (Booms et al. 2020). Long-term studies are also needed to determine the effects of global warming on the species.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Haskell, L.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Butchart, S. & Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/gyrfalcon-falco-rusticolus on 27/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 27/11/2024.