Gyrfalcon

Falco rusticolus

'Gyr' probably comes from an old German word for 'vulture.' Its scientific name is gentler: rusticolus means 'country-dweller,' the same root as 'rustic.'

'Gyrfalcon' came through French from the Old High German gīr, 'vulture,' plus 'falcon.' Falco is Latin for 'falcon,' probably from falx, 'sickle,' for its curved talons. Rusticolus joins rus, 'countryside,' and colere, 'to live.'