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MischievousRaven β Falconry: What a Journey
Published: 2015-04-17 01:54:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 669; Favourites: 33; Downloads: 4
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Description
This is something I put together recently.
This depicts the birds I've held on my falconry permits since I started in 2007, in order from left to right. Some were kept only a short time, and others were kept longer, but each taught me invaluable lessons. I'm so thankful to have the experiences I do with each of them, and so grateful to learn. <3Please note that I am a licensed falconer in the United States. Falconry is highly regulated here and you must pass an examination and inspection, have the proper facilities, equipment, and licensing to obtain, train, hunt with and otherwise work with these birds of prey. These are not pets; they are wild animals that are utilized for hunting purposes. Falconers in the United States must undergo a two year apprenticeship with a general or master licensed falconer.Β
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Comments: 76
Wow that is so interesting! What beautiful birds.
So where do you get them from and where do they go once you don't have them anymore?
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Thanks! :3
These birds have all been acquired from the wild-- humanely and legally trapped using proven methods that falconers are allowed.
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Oh wow, I didn't realize they were wild and then released back into the wild! When you say death, do you mean they die being trapped/transferred due to stress or do you mean of natural causes like old age or illness? I assume they are trapped as adults?
Where does one keep a wild falcon?Β
Sorry for all the questions, I am just super curious! c:
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Death typically caused my old age and illness. Falconers take all efforts to reduce stress through trapping and transferring. And most species, save of a couple (American Kestrels and Great Horned Owls), are trapped in their "passage" (first) year, in the autumn (typically). They are born in the spring, grow in their feathers and are learning to hunt and fly by early summer, in most species, and then are trapped in the fall.
The conservative estimate is that ~70% to 80% of all these first-year birds will die in their first year from inexperience, starvation, etc. 
And it's okay, feel free to send me any questions~
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That is so cool! I actually decided to do a little research myself and I read that a lot of the birds that escape in areas that they are not typically supposed to be in, usually end up not only surviving, but thriving! They breed and start a population in new areas and grow the species!
Not only is this a badass hobby, but it's incredibly helpful for the conservation of many of these birds and I didn't know anything about it until tonight, so thank you so much for sharing this and answering my questions.
If you have anymore photographs of the falcons you've had or other falconer related stuff, you should definitely post them! :3
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I wouldn't say a lot of birds escape. Some do, some don't.
I do know that falconers in the UK have said that wild goshawk populations are in direct relation to goshawks accidentally escaping there-- but goshawks are native to that area of the world.
Falconers do not condone the escape of a non-native (exotic) falconry bird into the wild-- all efforts are taken to re-obtain the bird. This is why in some states, falconers with hybridized and non-native birds of prey must legally always have two transmitters on their birds when they are flying free, so that if they would fly off, they have two transmitters to be searched by.
However, the releasal of native species back into the habitat they they came from is perfectly fine and helps the wild population it came from as a whole. Non-native species born in captivity are not to be released. Sometimes, conservation-related organizations have bred native species, like Barn Owls, to be released in the wild, but that is to help establish and strengthen a dwindling or poor-numbered population, if that makes sense.
And as far as pictures are concerned, if you go back in my gallery far enough I have pictures of birds you may be interested in.
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Yes, I did read that a lot of the birds that escaped are usually found again and most of them have bells and/or trackers on to help them be caught. I also saw that it's illegal in some places because of the small chance the bird will escape and breed in the wild, which could destroy other species. I think the thing as a whole is really amazing though and the fact its not just about what you do with the birds while you have them, but what you do with the birds afterward. It's wonderful.
I will definitely go take a look!
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Yep! I fly my bigger birds with bells but I haven't messed with telemetry yet.
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Well that's good! c:Β
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That's very cool to see them all. Do you have one that was your favorite?
I am just so excited to get my first bird.
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Charm was the one I kept the longest and caught the most game with. It was SO fun watching her learn in the field after multiple seasons. We hunted primarily grey and fox squirrels-- such a cognitive quarry that really makes them think ! (Not that I don't love a good flight on swampers or cottontails of course-- which, we also flew on!) I released her in 2010 and saw her 4 weeks after release, a couple miles from the release site and cropped up well. I pulled my car to the side of the road and got out my glove, and she just stayed on the pole, gave a headtilt, flew about ten feet over my head and then towards the horizon, circling around to settle into a tree for late day hunting. It was good to see her doing so well, and I'd love to trap one of her offspring some day.Β
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That had to be an amazing feeling. I am not looking forward to releasing my first bird, but even if there was a small chance of something like that happening, it would be incredible.
Do you have a bird now?
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It's definitely a bittersweet feeling, releasing a bird!Β
And not at the moment, but soon.
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What will you be getting?
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Is a surprise!
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thats awesome..i so wish i could do that :'D
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I love it so much. ;-; I've had to weave it around work/school/life, but it is so so so worth it.
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i wish i could learn how to work with these awesome animals but i cant DX
you have to be 18 to even volunteer around ANy type of bird here...
and i dont have timeΒ
sadly
DX
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Yeah, most places for volunteering make you be at least 16 here. D: But some states allow you to begin falconry before 18!
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heh...in 6 days where ever you live i could :'D
if i knew you in person i would beg you to teach me ALL YOU KNOW 8D
alllllllllll
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL
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xD <3 Feel free to message me any questions
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