General Rules: Monsters - Gyrfalcon

Gyrfalcon (from Frostburn)
Tiny Animal

Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hit points)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 10 feet, fly 60 feet (average)
Armor Class: 17 (+2 size, +3 Dexterity, +2 natural); touch 15, flat-footed 14
BAB/Grapple: +0/-10
Attack: Talons +5 melee (1d4-2, piercing and slashing, 20 x2)

Full Attack: Talons +5 melee (1d4-2, piercing and slashing, 20 x2)

Space/Reach: 2½ feet by 2½ feet/0 feet
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Low-light vision
Saves: Fortitude +2, Reflex +5, Will +2
Abilities: Str 6, Int 2, Wis 14, Dex 17, Con 10, Cha 6

Skills: Listen +4, Spot +16

Feats: Skill Augmentation (Listen and Spot), Weapon Finesse
Environment: Cold forests, plains, or mountains
Organization: Solitary or flock (3 - 16)
Challenge Rating: ⅓
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: -

The gyrfalcon is the largest of the falcon species. Its plumage varies with location, with birds being coloured from all-white to dark brown. Like other falcons, it shows sexual dimorphism, with the female much larger than the male. For centuries, the gyrfalcon has been valued as a hunting bird.

Combat
Gyrfalcons combine their talons into a single attack, swooping down on enemies from above.

Skills: Gyrfalcons gain a +8 racial bonus to Spot checks.

Gyrfalcons as Familiars
Gyrfalcons can serve as familiars for characters eligible to obtain familiars including arcane engineers, hexblades, mind weavers, shadowsworn, sorcerers, and wizards. Arcane casters with gyrfalcon familiars gain a +3 bonus to Spot checks.

Gyrfalcons as Animal Companions
A gyrfalcon may be trained in much the same manner as a hawk using Handle Animal. A 1^st-level druid, 3^rd-level outdoorsman, or 1^st-level ranger may take a gyrfalcon as an animal companion.

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