Research Trivia: Gyrfalcon

Gyrfalcons are absolutely magnificent birds - they're actually the largest falcons in the world! Your shapeshifting character has excellent taste in bird forms.

These arctic hunters are built for harsh northern climates, with thick feathering that even covers their legs and feet (unlike most raptors). They come in several gorgeous color morphs, ranging from almost pure white to dark gray, with the white ones being particularly stunning against snowy landscapes. The females are notably larger than males, which is typical for raptors - they can have wingspans reaching up to 5 feet!

What makes gyrfalcons such incredible predators is their versatility. While many falcons are known for high-speed dives, gyrs are more like the fighter jets of the bird world - they can hunt in multiple ways. They'll do the classic falcon stoop (that dramatic high-speed dive), but they're equally comfortable pursuing prey in direct flight or even hunting from perches. They primarily go after ptarmigan and other arctic birds, but they're opportunistic enough to take mammals too.

These birds have this wonderful combination of power and grace. They're incredibly strong fliers, capable of covering vast distances across tundra landscapes, yet they can also be surprisingly patient hunters. In medieval times, they were considered the ultimate status symbol among falconers - reserved for royalty because of their rarity and hunting prowess.

Your character would have access to some pretty amazing abilities in gyrfalcon form - exceptional eyesight, incredible speed and agility in flight, and that fierce predatory instinct that comes with being an apex aerial hunter. Plus, there's something deeply mystical about these birds that makes them perfect for fantasy storytelling!

Long ago, when I was a kid, there was a wonderful author named Rita Ritchie, who wrote a couple of YA novels around falcons. I managed to get a copy of one of them: The Golden Hawks of Genghis Khan. There was another, The Ice Falcon, that was about a gyrfalcon and the boy who found her and trained her. I found that recently, on Amazon, but it's an old, out of print one, and starts at like $36. I'll probably wind up buying it... maybe for my birthday or Christmas!

A True Confession

I originally had it written that Tobi changed into a white goshawk, which is native to Australia, because of this gloriously absurd image that had me in stitches. Something about that perfectly round, judgmental face with its upside-down glance felt exactly like Tobi's personality when he's feeling particularly sassy.

In the end, though, I chose the gyrfalcon because of Tyr and Tobi having been native to Norway, where the gyrfalcon would have been well-known. The geographical authenticity ultimately won out, but I'll always associate Tobi, in my mind, with this hilarious goshawk!