Academics still argue on how the gyr falcon gets its name. Some believe it derives from the German for vulture – gir – because it is the largest of all the falcons.

A bird of prey that should be a rare visitor to Scotland appears to have taken up residence in North Uist in the Western Isles. The gyr falcon has spent four months so far on the island.

The white Gyrfalcon was sold for £337,400 at the Saudi auction. Falconry has a long and rich history throughout the Middle East, and there are over 20,000 falconers in Saudi Arabia alone.

A bird of prey that should be a rare visitor to Scotland appears to have taken up residence in North Uist in the Western Isles. The gyr falcon has spent four months so far on the island. According ...