Genetics matters.

Gyrfalcons don’t come cheap, and probably never will. When you invest many thousands in a white gyrkin, would you like to know whether or not its progeny will be white?

We thought you would. Some of the whitest gyrfalcons in the world got that way by line breeding (a technique used by many breeders of all kinds of animals) which involves mating related individuals. This is acceptable up to a point. But taken too far, negative traits begin to present themselves. This is what led many North American falconers to assume that an Ungava Bay gyr would die “the minute you looked at it.” Our most coveted lines have been outcrossed for hardiness, while still retaining the “white-on-white” genetic background.

Many of our breeders were selected based on field performance. It is no secret that falconry “wash-outs” appear all too often in breeding projects. Let’s not forget why we spend the time and money: these birds are our hunting companions. We are keenly aware of the fact that you count on us to produce a bird that is aggressive on game and spectacularly beautiful.

Here’s to the hunt.