gyrfalcons

[demarest]

Impossible! There's no thread about gyrfalcons! There's got to be something to say about a species favored by kings and monarchs for centuries. Unfortionatly, i know next to nothing about them, So it would be nice if someone else actually started the worthwhile part of the thread.
-desmaret

[Weasel]

Big, expensive and no good for the climate I live in......:-)

[BlueTiercel]

Have seen one gyr and a 50/50 gyr-per fly at black ducks. The grey gyr didn't go up very high that day. Chased a black duck like a rocket, but gave up as it knew more ducks were to be had an easier way, came back and ducks where flushed and it knocked one down and got a foot in it on the ground. this duck was in the bag . another time sawa the 50/50 go up probably 600 feet or so .come down and hit a duck which was ten feet off the ground. The duck hit the ice and bounced but got up and took off again. The bird went after the ducks but then came back. bird remounted and more ducks were flushed bird came down in steep dive and did a J-hook coming behind a duck which it cot a foot on but didn't hold. although this bird was unsuccessful that day it sure was exciting to watch. Next season i will be out alot more as my sponsor is the owner of one of the birds and her husband the owner of the other. She has a young bird, dark chocolate brown, but looks like it's molting into a Grey, that is a Dan Konkel bird and I hear that thing looooves to fly and goes waaaay up. Can't wait o see this guy in action. Hit ducks out in the salt marsh last season but no kills. Still trying to figure out if he wants to eat those things.

[demarest]

Weasel,
My sponsor here in oregon had three gyrs at one time. of course in texas its different but its not close to ideal here. Then again, i guess it really depends in which part of texas you live, texas being so freakin' huge. Maybe if you stuck him in the freezer for a few hours each day.....:-)
-desmaret

[Weasel]

Amen to that! I'll build a walk in freezer for a mews!hehehe....Gyr's are more prone to asper down here as well as not doing well in the heat. There are several falconers in Texas that fly them, but I'm a die hard dirthawker so one of those pointy winged things is not on my list of things to do in the near future......Maybe a few years down the road if I live in an area that is condusive to a long wing.

[demarest]

I wonder if there's anyone in arabia who has a freezer mews thing. They seem to do anything for falconry over there. Then again, why would they fly the gyr when they have the saker?hmmm, i think i'll start a new thread.

[Tiercel78]

They do fly Gyrs in the Middle Eastren Countries. I have heard that falconers having climate controlled mews for those birds. Course, with the money some of those guys have they breed them there too. They can get almost anything they want hybrids encluded form almost anywhere..Though, The main bird that they fly there are Sakers. I don't know how often it is done. I have heard of them using smaller falcons i.e lanners and kestrel to trap sakers. Kinda like we use pigeons.-Zach

[ccrobbins]

Has anyone ever seen a Gyr/Merlin hybrid? I have been reading about them and they sound really fascinating. I wonder if there is anyone in the states who breeds them?

[Weasel]

A Guy named Karl Kerster I think mentioned that he had a merin hybrib of some sort. I will see what he has.

[ccrobbins]

Is he in Texas? I have no idea why I am so fascinated with the Merlin/Gyr.......Just cool little birds!

[Weasel]

No he is in North Cali

[ccrobbins]

Any update on his Merlin/?

[Weasel]

Nope, He hasn't been on the list in a few days....

[jobbyjob]

My sponser breeds gyrs and man one female is as big as a house! She'sjet black too. Makes me feel like a duck when she looks at me.lol.

[ccrobbins]

Has he ever crossed with a Merlin? Ask what he thins about the Merlin/Gyr, Gyr/Merlin hybrid.