Priorities for Future Research

Although the Gyrfalcon is an impressive species, much sought after by birders, biologists, and falconers, its relative inaccessibility has left many aspects of its biology unstudied. With a few notable exceptions, samples sizes of Gyrfalcon studies have been very small, often fewer than 10 nests or individuals. This makes generalizations difficult at best and highlights the need for larger, collaborative studies.

The origin of and factors maintaining the extreme variation in plumage color of the species, along with regional differences in proportion of variants, is still largely unknown. These issues are beginning to be addressed using molecular techniques but representative samples from its circumpolar distribution are needed. Investigations of the progression of plumages (if any) between Juvenal and Definitive is also needed.

Information on survival rates, longevity, the timing and direction of dispersal, nest site fidelity, and the degree and nature of adult migration is severely lacking. Almost no information exists on the presence, size, or ecology of the non-breeding population. Gyrfalcon eggs, chicks, and adults are all remarkably tolerant of temperature extremes, so investigations into the physiological ecology of this species would be of interest, particularly in regard to food availability in winter.

Another area of continuing controversy is the nature and cause of annual fluctuations in breeding populations of Gyrfalcons and what factors cause populations to fluctuate (or not) differently. This continues to be a problematic area for research because of the long-term, large scale commitment of resources necessary to address the issue properly.

Another more basic problem is achieving accurate population estimates. Although a number of researchers expend considerable effort to monitor populations, all agree that a large portion of potential Gyrfalcon habitat remains unsurveyed. Current survey techniques rarely incorporate measures of detectability, forcing monitoring programs to rely on indices of population change instead of actual estimates. Efforts should be made to create common survey methodologies that include measures of detectability and that allow for international comparisons to monitor for population change.

Last, as the Gyrfalcon faces its perhaps most significant threat, global warming, we need long-term, international collaborative investigations into the effects of warming on the species, its population status, and how it adapts or fails to adapt to its changing Arctic environment.