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The Complete Guide to Free Flight in Falconry
Birds

The Complete Guide to Free Flight in Falconry

Free flight in falconry is when a bird of prey flies untethered and comes back to the falconer on command. It needs patient groundwork: good manning, reliable recall, the right flying weight and solid lure training plus fitted telemetry. You will need a gauntlet, anklets and jesses, swivel and leash for practice, GPS or radio telemetry, a lure or whistle, scales and a safe transport box. Pick open, safe sites with no overhead wires, few people or dogs, and no nearby roads. Start with short releases, call the bird back with the glove or lure and give food as a reward. Build distance and stamina, practise lure stoops for falcons, and only try hunting with legal quarry when recall is rock solid. Weigh before and after flights, check equipment, watch the weather and stop if the bird is tired. Avoid flying too early, skipping telemetry, overfeeding before flight and unsafe locations.

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  • The Complete Guide to Lure Training in Falconry
    Birds

    The Complete Guide to Lure Training in Falconry

    Lure training in falconry teaches falcons and hawks to recognise, strike and return to a lure. A lure is leather or synthetic, shaped with wings or fur and fitted with a line and a food reward. Swinging lures copy flying prey and dragging lures copy running prey, helping fitness, hunting skill and recall training. Before you start, make the bird calm on the glove, set the right flying weight, pick open safe ground and check jesses, swivel and telemetry. Keep sessions short, reward every strike, train at the same time each day and avoid too many misses. For safety avoid roads, power lines and wild birds, do not use spoiled food and never free-fly without telemetry. With patience and regular practice, lure training builds fitness, sharpens hunting skills and strengthens recall.

  • The Complete Guide to Manning in Falconry
    Birds

    The Complete Guide to Manning in Falconry

    Manning in falconry is the gentle process of taming a hawk, falcon or owl so it sits calmly on the glove, takes food by hand and copes with people and new places. This guide explains the manning process and key steps: calm initial handling, feeding on the glove, short walks, gradual exposure to sights and sounds, building session length, correct kit and daily weight checks. Manning tips: be patient, stay calm, handle the bird every day and use food rewards to build trust and reduce stress. Timing varies from days to weeks, but good manning makes recall training, free flight and hunting much easier.

  • The Complete Guide to Creance Training in Falconry
    Birds

    The Complete Guide to Creance Training in Falconry

    Creance training is a key part of falconry that prepares birds of prey for free flight. Using a long, lightweight line called a creance, this training helps build trust, strengthen recall, and develop the bird’s flight muscles while keeping it safe. Essential for preventing fly-offs, creance training involves equipment like jesses, a swivel, a glove, and a lure. Steps include short recall, increasing distance, introducing the lure, and progressing to longer flights, only moving to free flight once recall is reliable. Key tips are patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Mistakes to avoid include skipping training, using too short a line, and rushing to free flight.

  • What Vegetables Can My Parrot Eat?
    Birds

    What Vegetables Can My Parrot Eat?

    Vegetables are a key part of a parrot's diet, providing vitamins, minerals, and fibre. About 30-50% of a parrot's daily food should be vegetables. Safe options include carrots, broccoli, and kale. Be cautious with tomatoes and mushrooms; avoid onions and garlic. Small parrots need 1-2 tablespoons daily, medium ones 2-4 tablespoons, and large ones up to 1 cup. For parrots with health issues like being overweight or having liver disease, careful selection of low-fat and starchy veg is important. Always consult an avian vet before making significant changes to a parrot's diet.

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