A rare white-morph gyrfalcon has been spotted this month in Scarborough.

The bird (Falco rusticolus) was recently photographed by Toronto Community News freelance photographer Manny Rodrigues in The Golden Mile area, near Pharmacy and Eglinton avenues.

Gyrfalcons are the largest falcons in the world and are rarely seen in southern Ontario as they spend most of their time much further north.

This bird spotted near The Golden Mile is believed to be an escapee from a breeder or falconer as two bands are clearly visible on the falcon’s legs.

The falcon has been living on a diet of smaller birds in the area, including a number of pigeons.