Largest of All Falcons: teacher key

Gyrfalcons, grade 6 edition, written for 6th grade. The gyrfalcon is the largest falcon. Read about its size, its chase, its territory and its nest.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. What category does the IUCN Red List give the gyrfalcon as of 2026?
   • Gone
   • Least Concern (answer)
   • Unknown
2. How does a gyrfalcon usually hunt?
   • In a level chase rather than a steep dive (answer)
   • By digging
   • By swimming
3. When do male gyrfalcons begin defending a nesting territory?
   • In mid-winter (answer)
   • In summer
   • In spring only
4. What do gyrfalcons often do each year?
   • Build a new tree nest
   • Fly to Africa
   • Return to the same nest site (answer)
5. A gyrfalcon is somewhat larger than a peregrine falcon. Which bird is smaller?
   • The peregrine falcon (answer)
   • The gyrfalcon
   • They are the same
6. What does prey mean?
   • Color forms
   • Hunted animals (answer)
   • A home area

Words

• ptarmigan: a bird
• morphs: color forms
• prey: hunted animals
• territory: a home area