gyrfalcon

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒəːˌfɔː(l)k(ə)n, -ˌfɒlk(ə)n/

noun

  • the largest falcon, found in arctic regions and occurring in several colour forms, one of which is mainly white.
    • Falco rusticolus, family Falconidae

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French gerfaucon, of Germanic origin. The first element is probably related to Old High German gēr 'spear'; the spelling gyr- arose from a mistaken idea that the bird's name came from Latin gyrare 'revolve'