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Birds of prey can tire quickly during falconry, displays or rehabilitation. Watch for heavy wingbeats, drooping wings, panting, poor balance, slow recalls, loss of focus or refusal to fly. Stop the session, give the bird a quiet rest, water and food, then check its recovery. Build fitness slowly, use suitable weather and keep flights short. If tiredness comes on quickly or does not improve, contact a qualified avian vet.
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Transporting birds of prey safely keeps them calm and healthy and is vital in falconry. Use a purpose-built transport box or a giant hood and train the bird to enter calmly. In a vehicle place the box on a flat surface and strap it in with a seatbelt. Never leave a bird in a hot or poorly ventilated car because heat stress can be fatal. Feed lightly before travel, offer water on long trips and stop for regular checks to spot stress, injury or feather damage. Keep spare jesses, a leash and a glove in the car and clean the box after use. Do not use improvised carriers, do not crowd birds, and never leave a bird unattended. These simple steps make safe transport to the vet, flying site or display much easier.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
The Saker Falcon is a large bird native to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, known for its power and speed in falconry. It is not suitable for beginners and requires experienced handlers. The bird needs careful maintenance, including proper housing, diet, and legal compliance in the UK. Saker Falcons are housed in spacious aviaries with proper perches, and require telemetry for tracking. They feed on a varied diet and need daily weighing for health monitoring. Training involves manning, creance, lure, and free flight. Suitable hunting grounds are open areas, and health issues like aspergillosis and bumblefoot require vigilant care. They can live up to 20 years, demanding long-term commitment and advanced skills. This bird is a symbol of power and tradition in falconry.
Learn how to handle the situation if your bird of prey flies away. Stay calm and use training techniques like calling your bird with a lure. Use GPS or radio tracking devices to find your bird. Fly in safe areas and under good weather conditions to reduce the risk. If your bird disappears, start from where you last saw it and call for help from other falconers. Always practise using your equipment and ensure your bird responds well to recall cues. Remember, preparation and patience are key to recovering your bird.
Weight management is vital in falconry and caring for captive birds of prey. A bird's weight impacts its health, responsiveness, and hunting ability. This guide covers key points like weighing daily, understanding hawking weight, and using tools like perch scales and log books. It's important to record weight, food amounts, and bird behaviour. Gradual weight reduction, proper portion control, and monitoring external factors such as weather and health are crucial. Avoid common mistakes like not weighing daily or over-reducing weight. Consistent weight management leads to a healthy and reliable bird.
Feeding birds of prey is crucial for their care, especially in activities like falconry and conservation. Raptors need a diet similar to what they eat in the wild, including whole prey with bones, feathers or fur, and organs. This guide covers feeding basics, prey options, preparation, and feeding frequency. Feeding a variety of prey prevents nutritional imbalances. Proper hygiene and weight management are essential, as is consulting an avian vet for supplements when needed. Avoid common mistakes like feeding only one prey type or improper food handling. By following these guidelines, you can keep your bird healthy and fit.
The Red-tailed Hawk is a strong bird of prey found in North America, but in the UK, it is used mainly for falconry and pest control. It is easily recognised by its reddish-brown tail and broad wings. Known for its strength, it is suitable for experienced falconers in the UK. Legal requirements include proof of legal acquisition and hunting permissions. Housing needs include a large aviary and safety measures. Essential equipment includes a gauntlet, telemetry, and scales. Their diet consists of whole prey. Training involves manning and creance training. Health needs careful housing and regular checks. Red-tailed Hawks can live 20-25 years, requiring commitment in care and training. They are strong and forgiving, making them suitable for open fields in the UK.
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