novice falconry

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FALCONRY It\ SU RV EY C OU RSEFOR THE NOVICE f~LeONERTIle perfect prim.erfor the newfalconer.Falconry I teaches thebasics of the various areasof falconry including:

*History"Equipment"Law

"*Care and health"Feedirig

*Training the raptor

ABIN ROADPUBLISHING

AS"UIl,rEY'CO, uasrFOR TH~ENO\TICE FALCONER,

'Ill d und. d IF.' ~fleW an', upaatea informauon:EverytililJg the newfalconerneeds' to ' know.'K.R. VETOYER


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Send Demonoid invite to..."'\' [email protected]

FALCONRY IA SURVEY COURSE FOR THENOVICE FALCONER

"KARL R. VETOYER

CabinRoad

PublishingMarion, South Carolina

I,
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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The goal of Cabin Road Publishing is to provide qualityinformation to those with interests in uncommon pursuitsand subjects, and to do so through an approach thatrecognizes the delicacy of our environment.

Copyright 2004 by Cabin Road Publishing

All rights reserved. No parts of this book may bereproduced without written pernussron from thepublisher, except by a reviewer who may quote briefpassages or reproduce illustrations in a review withappropriate credits; nor may any part of this book bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted inany form or by any means - electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording, or other - without writtenpermission from the publisher.

The information in this book is true and complete to thebest of our knowledge. All recommendations are madewithout guarantee on the part of the author or thepublisher. The author and the publisher disclaim anyliability in connection with the use of this information.

Printed in the United States by Cabin Road Publishing,ISBN 0-9767396-0-7

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CO'J(J!E9{fs

1 INTRODUCTION, POINTS TOREFLECT ON, HISTORY

2 THE RAPTORS

3 ETHICS ANDLEGAL

4 THE LANGUAGEOF FALCONRY

5 EQUIPMENT

6 FEED"INGANDGENERAL CARE

7 HEALTH ANDMEDICAL

TRAINING THE RAFTOR

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Forward

The ancient art of falconry occupies a special stationamong sports. Few, if any, human endeavors tend tocontinue practically unchanged for centuries, but falconryhas done just that. With few exceptions, the equipment,language, training techniques, and hunting styles havevaried little since medieval times. Constant too has beenthe wide-ranging social status of the devotees participatingin this unique and thrilling chase. A favorite of both kingsand peasants in the early years, falconry continues toattract people from varied backgrounds, income, andsocial strata, all with a common bond: a passion for anexhilarating endeavor, coupled with a love of and respectfor the magnificent birds that make it possible.The purpose of this book is to provide knowledge and

support to those who want to become falconers. This text,along with the training and counsel provided by the novicefalconer's sponsor, will enable the apprentice to approachthe sport with a basic understanding of its various facets.

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Introduction, Points to 1 ( g f r e c t Oil, andHisiotu

INTRODUCTION, POINTS TOREFLECT ON, AND HISTORYThousands of years ago as early man struggled to feed

hims~lf, one of the most common ~ethods he used was ! _ ~ e . . . . . - ~ ~huntmg of small game. Employmg bows and'1rri'Ows,spears, and hurled rocks, he became aware of the deadlyefficiency of a certain noble-looking fellow hunter in theforests and fields. He no doubt noticed, and perhapsenvied, the tools with which this magnificent huntsmanwas equipped: Keen senses enabling him to locate invisiblequarry, lightening speed, feet fitted with deadly talons.


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Introduction, Points to 2


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Introduction, Points to 'Rsj(ect On, and.J(istory

*Local animal shelters often have ongoingrelationships with falconers and might direct you towardone

TO BE A FALCONERThe prospective falconer has several factors to consider

as he contemplates adopting this rare sport. Due to itsnature, falconry is not an avocation one can enter in thesame way that one enters stamp collecting or tennis. Theselatter activities will wait for you - falconry will not. Thatis to say that falconry is not an activity that one can putaway and pull out another day as the spirit moves. Afalconer is a falconer every day. And this inyolvescommitment in several areas.

KNOWLEDGEThis publication, as well as other publications the

novice may choose, provides a solid foundationalknowledge of falconry and the various facets thereof. Inthe chapters that follow, the novice will learn about therap tors themselves: their individual physical andbehavioral characteristics, their native habitats, theirhunting preferences. He will also learn the basics offalconry equipment, law, language, and history. Topics inmanning (acclimating the raptor to the presence of, andhandling by, a human being), training, and hunting willalso be addressed.Just as falconry itself is somewhat of a throwback to an

earlier era, so to is the primary method used to trainprospective falconers. Apprenticeship's, once the technical

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Introduction, Points to 'l(ej[ect On, a n d J {i ston ;

schools of their day, exist today only in certain rareoccupations. Falconry is unique among sports in itsrequirement that an apprenticeship be completed prior toassuming full-fledged status as a practitioner of the sport.And it's not tradition that dictates that this should be so;it's a matter of law. In the United States, federal statutesrequire that the novice falconer arrange an apprenticeshipwith an experienced falconer who will mentor him in thevarious aspects of the endeavor.One should not, however, think of this as merely

another bureaucratic requirement that must be compliedwith. Sound judgment, common sense, and consultationswith experienced falconers led to the adoption of theselaws. Their major thrust is the protection of thosemagnificent hunters of the sky that w e all view with greatadmiration and respect.

The sponsor's experience and skill make him thenovice's premier source of information and sound advice.His experienced eye is absolutely indispensable during theprocesses of manning and training in that he can recognizethe subtle nuances and changes displayed by the raptorduring this critical stage. The sponsor's knowledge ofraptor health issues is not only beneficial in the obviousway, it also can save the time and expense involved in visitsto the veterinarian. The sponsor will, in fact, impartknowledge in all aspects of care and maintenance of theraptor.

TIMEThose considering entrance into the sport o f falconry

should first ascert~ that ~!fjc_jent-fr-~t}me could bedevoted to the various-functions required 0l\the falconer.Foremost among these is the care and maintenance of the5


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Introduction, Points to p.!j(ect On, ana J{istOlY

raptor. Despite the ferocity they might display whenhunting, raptors are fragile creatures requiring a steady,carefully structured lifestyle. Care involves not onlyfeeding and providing water and shelter, it also entailsduties such as observing the raptor for changes inbehavior, weighing for health maintenance and' huntingstatus, studying the droppings for signs of illness, andkeeping the raptors environment clean and free ofdangerous substances. One shouldn't make the mistake ofassuming that falconry consists only of weekend hunts, asthis is most assuredly not the case. Work, family, andschool responsibilities as well as time devoted to otheravocations should be considered as one contemplatesentrance into the sport. The reaction friends, parents, andsignificant others might have to the dedication of such alarge block of time should also be considered.

EXPENSEAswith many other activities, falconry can cost as much

as you want it to. The really ornate and beautiful hoodsand gloves can be quite expensive, as can otherdiscretionary items. After an initial "start-up" cost,however, the sport is relatively inexpensive whencompared to other activities such as golf, where anafternoon on the links can cost from fifty to hundreds ofdollars. Actual storefronts dealing in falconry items arerare, especially in rural and non-metropolitan areas. Theinternet, including on-line auctions, is an excellent sourceof quality falconry items. Shopping here should be donecarefully and deliberately. One shouldn't rush topurchasean item before determining that it is of good quality, is thecorrect item (i.e. for the right raptor), and is pricedcompetitively. As always, your sponsoring falconer isyour best source of information.

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. Introduction, Points to p.!Jfect On, ana J{isl:07Y

Mews can be a major initial expense depending on .several factors:The design desired by the falconer or required by local

building and zoning regulations.

Local climatic conditions.If the falconer is looking to the future during which

time he may house more than one raptorFederal and state laws also govern the construction and

design of mews, so there exists a minimum cost.SAFETY

As with all activities, safety should be a constant andvery serious consideration of the falconer. Some areas ofconcern are addressed here.

',

Hkiene of the raptors food supply, both duringpreparation and in the manner in which it is given is veryimportant~an.xJ:alconers are, however, blase about theirown hygiene when in~the presence of their bird. Infectionssuch as Salmonella nteridis are rife in the poultryindustry, and will ther fore also be found sometimes inchicks which are ofte? used a raptor food. Aviantuberculosis is common in feral birds. Either infection canbe a serious threat to the falconer, so caution should beexercised. Many falconers will, when both hands areoccupied, pull a glove off with his teeth, forgetting whatwas just eaten on the fist or the fact that the raptor mutedon it.Knives used in food preparation, as well as the

occasional puncture of the hand by a talon, can introducetetanus, which is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease.7


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Introduction, 'Points to 'R,fjTectOn, and"'}-{ iSt071j

All falconers should consult their family physician andhave an up-to-date tetanus injection with a booster afterten years.

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Introduction, Points to 'Rgf!ect On, ant! Histon;

HISTORY

The determination of a definitive time and placeregarding the origins of falconry will most likely never beaccomplished. Evidence does exist that humans used birdsof prey for hunting in China and Persia well over twothousand years ago. Determining its western origins isomewhat more clear. The first known appearance of the

in Europe was recorded somewhere around 600 ADGermanic tribes began to hunt with birds of prey.

Over the next two centuries,it spread all over WesternEurope ami toGreat Britain where it became somewhat ofa status symbol. Falconry became a favored pastime ofnobility and the clergy.

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introduction, Points to 2?!jfect On, and :Hist()Ty

One of the fathers of modern falconry was the HolyRoman Emperor, Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. Heauthored one of the first complete treatises on falconrywhen he published his book, De Arte Venandi cum Avibuswhich roughly translated means "The Art of Hunting withBirds". So great was his love of the sport that he isreputed to have lost a battle after taking time off from thewar to take his birds out for a hunt. He is generallycredited with incorporating the unique falconry practicesof the Arabs, for instance the use of hoods, into westernfalconry when, during the Crusades, he returned homewith Arab falconers in tow.Falconry was particularly popular among Scottish

kings such as Robert the Bruce who allowed Mary Queenof Scots who was under a sort of house arrest to take hermerlins out to hunt larks. Henry VIII, who had the royalmews at Charing's Cross built tohouse his birds, was quitean avid falconer.Falconry soon became a tool for social climbing as

nobility all over the world hosted hunting parties andmeets with many fellow falconers hoping not only to bagsome game, but also to raise their rank among the elite.

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In traduc No11, Points to 'l\f.f!ect Oil, and Histotu

Kings, Czars, and Emperors possessed very large mewswhich housed the best birds to be had. In Great Britainskilled falconers found no shortage of work as the royalsscoured the countryside to ensure that the best of the bestworked the birds in their personal mews. Nobles paidmaster falconers extravagant salaries. The governmentposition known as Master of the Mews was created for theking's best falconer. The office still exists today.So much a part of life did falconry become, that falcon

ownership was one method of determining a person'ssocial rank. People of specific social rankings wereallowed only to possess a certain type and sex of bird. Tobe found in possession of a bird disallowed by one'sstanding met with severe punishment, as did the poachingof eggs and birds from the wild.With the invention of the shotgun, 'falconry fever began

to abate. Soon it became a very rare sport indeed .. Thesame .was not true of the Middle East however. Falconryremamed a sport of the aristocracy in Arab countries andit isprobably thanks to this that it exists today.

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i nt ro du c ti on , ' P oi n ts to 1 ? f r e c t Oil, atui J-Listonj

FALCONRY INOUR LANGUAGE

Falconry terms once existed only in the language of thenobility who actively pursued the medieval art. Mostmodern falconers continue to use these terms. Some wordshave found their way into modern English and are incommon usage, although the modern meaning is fardifferent from the original.The word 'codger', used today to describe an elderly

person, can be traced back to the falconry term 'cadger',or a person who carried a portable perch called a 'cadge'for the falconer. Most cadgers were old falconers and intime a corruption of this came to be used as it is today.'Callow" which is a nestling raptor whose feathers are

still in the blood quill stag, is now used to describesomeone who is young or untested.When raptors drink it is called 'bowsing' and a bird

that drinks. heavily is called a 'boozer', a term thatrequires no further explanation.The term mantle piece comes from the action a raptor

makes to cover and protect its food ca\Jl~.~_~~~ to'mantle'. ~'Hoodwinked', the action of placing the hood over the

falcon's head to recover the captured prey from its talons,when used among humans has come to mean depriving bytrickery.The language of falconry is covered more completely in

a later chapter.

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THERAPTORSBirds of prey, known as Raptors, survive in just about

every habitat in the world. All Raptors are carnivores witheach species having its own dietary preference. Thispreference often coincides with that of an omnivore - thehuman being - and when it does a hunting partnership(known as falconry) is often formed.As an occupant of the top of the food chain, raptors are

a good indicator of environmental health. Contaminatedwater, polluted air, and the destruction of natural habitatadversely affect the raptor and their food sources. Manyspecies were or still are threatened or endangered.Birds of prey are divided into two groups:

Falconiformes, which include hawks (buteos &

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accipiters), eagles, ospreys, falcons, and New Worldvultures, and Strigiformes, the owls. Osprey and Vulturesare not generally used in falconry, and owls are usedinfrequently.

'E.?d]DESThere are many species of eagles worldwide. Most

commonly known in North America are the Bald Eagleand the Golden Eagle. These are large, soaring rap torswith very long broad wings. It is easy to identify the adultBald Eagle by its white head and tail; however, the BaldEagle does not acquire its white head until it is 3-4 years,old. The Golden Eagle is named for the golden-buff'feathers on its crown and the nape of its neck. The adultbird isusually dark brown with white at the base ofits tail.

Buteos are soaring hawks with strong bodies, broad,rounded wings and moderately short, fan-shaped tails.Buteos include the Rough Leg, Harris Hawks, Redtail,Furruginous, and Broadwing. Among Buteos, it'sprimarily the Redtailed Hawk and the Harris Hawk thatare used in falconry. Deriving their name from theirchestnut red tail feathers which are acquired after the firstmolt, Redtails are one of the most widely distributed birdsof prey in North America. A hearty and adaptable bird,the Redtail can often be seen soaring or perched in trees oron poles along roads and highways. They primarily huntground quarry but will also take some winged quarry ofsmall to medium size. The Harris Hawk is blackish orsooty brown with bright chestnut

7lie ( R , J lr=

shoulders, under wing coverts, and thighs. This bird isnative to the southwestern part of the continent and canoften be seen hunting in groups.The broadwinged species - eagles and buzzards - are

soaring birds. Using their large broad wings as sails theycan effortlessly soar for hours. They normally hunt easyprey such as slow or weakened animals.

f 4 .CCIP I 'PE2? ,SSmall tomedium sized hawks with short rounded wings

and long tails comprise the Accipiters. They live in theforest and tend to be very fast and ferocious hunters.Accipiters include the Coopers Hawk, the Goshawk, andthe Sharp-Shinned Hawk. Accipiters generally used infalconry are the Coopers Hawk and the Goshawk.The Goshawk is a very fast andmaneuverable raptor

that hunts generally in the forest. Smaller than theGoshawk, the Coopers Hawk is both more widelydistributed and more abundant. Cooper's Hawks generallyprefer to hunt winged quarry in the air.

Falcons have aerodynamic bodies and fast, strongwings. These tools allow them to pursue prey in opencountry where speed is a necessity. This raptor huntsprimarily winged quarry by diving from high altitudes atphenomenal speeds and then knocking their prey to theground. Their speeds can approach 190 M.P.H.

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(Tfie 1 ( g 1 ' tots

Peregrines, Gyrfalcons, Kestrels, Mertins, and PrairieFalcons, are the species used for falconry on the NorthAmerican continent with the Kestrel and Peregrine beingthemost commonly used.Nowan introduction tothesemagnificent birds.

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COMMONNAME: HARRISHAWKSCIENTIFIC NAME: Parabuteo unicinctusPHYSICALCHARACTERISTICS:Size: Mediumsizedhawk.P. u. superior is the largest ofthe three subspecies.Weight: 1% to2% IbsWingspan: 3%' to4'Colors: P. u. harrisi and P. u. unicinctus: Sooty brownwith chestnut shoulders, under-wing coverts and thighs. P.u. superior: Darker. -,Voice: When surprised or disturbed at the nest: Long,harsh screams. Any mild disturbance results in a muchlessharsh "eeeeeeeeeeee"sound.LIFESPAN: Average 13years.RANGE: P. u. harrisi: Southern United States; Louisianato Kansas, Southern Texas, Mexico, Central America toEcuador and Peru. P. u. unicinctus: South-easternCalifornia to Chile, Central Argentina, Paraguay,Venezuela, and Brazil. P. u. superior: SoutheasternCalifornia, southwesternArizona, southwesternMexico.POPULATION: DeclininginNorthAmerica.

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MIGRATION: Non-migratory.HABITA T: Lowland areas, sparse woodland and semi-desert. Prefers amoderate amount of taller vegetation.BREEDING: In some places, the Harris Hawk practicesPolyandry, an arrangement in which a third familymember of the family acts as a nest helper by assisting inthe feeding of young or by providing prey to the nest orboth. Oftentimes the helper is a juvenile female who waspart of an earlier clutch. Nests"are generally located inlow-lying, isolated woodlands and can be made of sticks,twigs, weeds lined with green mesquite, leaves, bark, grassand moss. The nests are often placed in cactus, mesquite,and other trees.Breeding season is from February to October, with

most of the eggs laid in early March. Mating begins aboutthree weeks before egg laying with two to four eggs laidthat need an incubation period of 3336 days. Thenestlings fledge at about 40 days of age and doubleclutching is occasionally observed.FOOD: Small and medium-sized mammals, and medium-sized birds.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: Rapid descending glides whichbegin from either a high perch or a soaring position. Alsomay fly horizontally from the perch and make a steepdownward plunge at the quarry. If the attack issuccessful, the hawk will either remain on the ground withthe quarry or carry it to a nearby elevated perch to beginfeeding. Ifnot successful, the hawk will often perch nearthe last known location of the prey and await itsreappearance until it tires from waiting at which

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'T!1e ' R . f l P tors

time it may fly to a higher perch. When the quarry isflushed, the hawk pursues with quick wing beats and willoften stoop at it before it reaches cover again. If the preymanages to reach cover, the hawk will swoop verticallyupwards a few yards, make a small circle, and thendescend on the quarry when it reappears.Harris hawks often hunt in groups consisting of three to

six birds. They will fly from one perch to another, whichthe occupying hawk will vacate as the approaching hawkcomes near. This type of hunting tactic eventually ends upwith the entire group pursuing quarry or by a dominanthawk pursuing and capturing quarry and the rest of thegroup following toassist as required.

USE IN FALCONRY: The Harris hawk is an extremelypopular hawk in falconry. Very versatile and adaptablethe Harris will perform in all sorts of terrain and in allsorts of weather and will fly at all kinds of quarry with avaried, eclectic hunting style. The Harris hawk is also theeasiest of all hawks in falconry to train and handle. Dueto its relatively social behavior within its own species theHarris hawk tames quickly and develops somewhat of anattachment to its falconer. They are intelligent birds thatlearn quickly and their positive attributes seem to improvewith age. They are consistent hunters and will take quitelarge quarry such rabbits and ducks.CONSERVATION: The largest threat to the Harrishawk is the degradation and loss of habitat. Actions takento control brush plus the loss of habitat to urban and oiland gas development often degrade or destroy habitatareas. Hunters and all-terrain vehicles near nestinghabitats will cause parents to abandon their nest, with theresulting loss of eggs and young. Electrocution by high-

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tension power lines, drowning, illegal trapping, andshooting all poseadditional hazards.Granting of special status on the endangered species list

would benefit the Harris Hawk a great deal.

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COMMONNAME: Peregrine FalconSCIENTIFIC NAME: Falco peregrinusPHYSICALCHARACTERISTICS:Size: Middle-sized to large falcon. 16-20" long.Weight: Femaleabout 2 lbs,male I1h lbs. The largest

race is F. p. paelei and F. p. radamus the smallestWingspan: 36-44"Colors: Juvenile has brown back and white/creamy

underside with irregular spots. The adult ismore blue orgrey on the back, and spots on the underside have a moreregular barred appearance.Voice: 'hek-hek-hek', 'kwaahk-kwaahk', 'witchiw-

witchiwLIFESPAN: Generally 7-15years.RANGEANDMIGRATION: With its eighteen races, thePeregrine covers all parts of the world. F. p. peregrinus:Europe, northern Russia and south to the Mediterraneanand Caucasus. F. p. calidus: northern Russia, northernSiberia, Lapponia. Migrates as far south as SouthernAfricaand NewGuinea. F. p.japonensis: east Siberia,

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'Ifte 9(aptors

Kurile Islands. Migrates toJapan, Riu Kiuand Taiwan. F.p. brookei: Mediterranean area, from Spain and Moroccoto Caucasus. F. p. pelegrinoides: North Africa. F. p.baby Ionic us: The central deserts and steppes of Asia, fromIraq and Iran to Mongolia. Migrates to India. F. p.peregrinator: From India and Sri Lanka to China andTaiwan. F. p. minor: Africa south of Sahara. F. p. paelei:From North Kurile Islands, Aleutians to Queen CharlotteIslands. Migrates to California. F. p. anatum: NorthAmerica. Migrates to Central and South America. F. p.cassini: Chile, from Atacama goTierra del Fuegoand theFalklands. F. p. macropus: Australia, except the south-west. F. p. submelanogenys: South-western Australia. F. p.madens: Cape Verde Islands. F. p. radama: Madagascarand Comoro Islands. F. p. fruitii : Volcano Islands. F. p.ernesti: Indonesia, Philippines, NewGuinea. F. p. nesiotes: .NewHebrides, Loyalty Island, NewCaledonia.POPULATION: Varied populations over the world. TheNorth American population has started somewhat of acomeback due to careful protection and monitoring, butmuch care of this bird isstill needed.HABITAT: Resides in all continents with variousgeographical characteristics. Its mastery of the air givesitthe capability of living in practically all sorts of habitats.However, they are most common in open country such asgrassland, steppes, and moorland. Most seem to have apreference for rocks and cliffs which is where they willusually befound livingand breeding.BREEDING: Rarely begins tobreed before the ageof twoto three years. Couples generally stay together for life. Inthe mating ritual, the male will stand on a breeding ledgeand then flyout whenhe spots the female, calling toher ashe does. Among older breeding couples, the male and

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female will dive and scream at each other. The male willceremoniously feed thefemale, bowingslowlybefore her.

Frequent copulation occurs until the eggs are laid.Nesting places are used for many years and are frequentlyold nests of ravens, buzzards and other nest-building birdsof that size. Very often the eggs are laid on the bare rockor ground. In urban environments, the roofs ofskyscrapers are commonly used. Two to five eggs arecommonly laid at intervals of 2-3 days. The young hatchafter 28-29 days of incubation, and will start flying 35-42days after hatching. Peregrines are very aggressivetoward intruders and they fear no other birds except thegyrfalcon. Even eagles are attacked if they happen tobreed inthe same area.FOOD: Mainly birds of small to medium size. Grouse,franc?lins, and pigeons, in particular the rock pigeon, arefavorites where available.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: One of the most electrifyinghunters of the animal kingdom. Most quarry is taken onthe wingby the Peregrines trademark blazing direct stoop.Alsowill engage in a long tail-chase. The prey is usuallykilled byahit from the peregrine's large hind talon.

USE IN FALCONRY: The premier hunter of wingedquarry as well as exhilarating towatch. Most recommendfalconers ofa solid background.

CONSERVATION STATUS: The Peregrine Falcon wasbrought tonear extinction in the United States by the useofpesticides, inparticular DDTwhich isnowbanned. Theresidue of pesticides such as DDT persists in living tissuesand becomesmore and more concentrated as it works its23


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way up the food chain, often becoming particularlyconcentrated in long-lived predator species such as theperegrine falcon. These pesticides result in thin-shelledeggs which cannot sustain the weight of incubation.Although banned in the United States, Canada and manySouth and Central American countries, the use of DDTstill persists in parts of the Latin America where thePeregrine winters. Young birds can accumulate bloodlevels of pesticides as high as those in adult birds after justone winter in the south.By the mid 1960s no Peregrines were breeding east of

the Mississippi and the numbers in the west were inserious decline. Captive-breeding programs have gone along way toward bring the Peregrine back. Many falconshave been reintroduced to the wild in the hope thatperegrines may be reestablished in areas where they onceroamed in great numbers.

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'771.e1(aptors

COMMON NAMES: Red-Tailed Hawk, Chicken HawkSCIENTIFIC NAME: Buteo jamaicensisPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Size: The Red-tail is the largest hawk, and, as with

most rap tors , the female is nearly 113larger than the male.Weight: 2-4 IbsWing Span: 48 inches"

Colors: The adult has a rust-colored tail that may havea black terminal bar. Adults are dark brown on the backand the top of the wings. The underside of the bird isusually light with a dark bellyband, and a cinnamon washon the neck and chest. The adult Red-tailed Hawk iseasily identified. When it leaves the perch, the broad,rounded tail shows a rich russet red from which it gets itsname.Voice: Hoarse and rasping two to three second scream

that ismost commonly heard while soaring. Loudest whendefending their nest. When parents leave the nest, theyoung scream for food with a loud wail: "klee-uk," whichis repeated several times.LIFESPAN: 10-21 yrs.RANGE: The Red-tailed Hawk ranges throughout NorthAmerica to central Alaska and northern Canada, andsouth as far as the mountains of Panama. It is the most

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' Ifte '!\[tptors

widely distributed and best known of all the hawks. TheRed-tailed Hawk is actually a grouping of 14 sub-species,Each of these is generally specific to a geographical area,differing from the others in size, markings, and specificcolor schemes.POPULATION: The population of the Red-tail in NorthAmerica is about 350,000.MIGRATION: Although not truly migratory, they doadjust seasonally to areas of the most abundant prey withmany of the northern birds moving south inwinter.HABITAT: The. Red-tailed Hawk generally prefersgrasslands or marshy, shrub landscapes. A very adaptable.bird, they also homestead in deserts and forests, and atvarying heights above sea level.

BREEDING: Mating and nest building begin in earlyspring, usually March continuing through May. Bothmales and females perform spectacular aerial displays,circling and soaring to great heights and folding theirwings. They dive to treetop level then repeat this displayas much as five or six times. Generally lays one to threeeggs which incubate for 28~32days.FOOD: The Red-tailed Hawk is an opportunistic hunter.Its diet is varied, but there is evidence that up to 90% iscomposed of small rodents, with. rabbits, snakes andlizards included. Where there are large numbers of

pheasant, these become the food of choice in spring andsummer.

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'nie 2 ?_ a p t o r s

HUNTING TECHNIQUE: Does not fly fast but soars athigh altitudes using its keen eyesight to spot the slightestmovement in the grass below. Like all hawks, its talons areits main weapons.USE IN FALCONRY: The most popular raptor in thesport of falconry, the red-tail is also the apprentice's birdby law.CONSERVATION: Even though its numbers are steadilydeclining, the species itself appears sufficiently adaptableto escape total extermination in the future. Its numberscontinue to decline as human population grows.

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COMMON NAME: GOSHAWKSCIENTIFIC NAME: Accipiter gentilisPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Size: Goshawks are solidly built raptors, with

powerful legs and feet, giving them the ability to catchmammals heavier than themselves. Length is 19-27inches.Weight: Male: Weight is slightly less than twopounds.

Female: Just over twopounds.Wingspan: Male: 39 inches average, Female: 42

inches average.Colors: Adults range in color from black to blue-gray,

withwhite under parts. Their backs, heads, and wing topstend tobe gray todark gray tonear black. Goshawks' tailsare gray, and their undersides are a lighter gray with graystripes and white streaks. The tails of adults have darkstripes, usually three or four. The Goshawk has a verydistinctive white band of feathers above their eyes, whichare usually red-brown inadults and yellowin young birds.Juvenile Goshawks are much lighter than adults, withbrown backs, heads, and wing tops and brown rather thangray streaks on their undersides.Voice: When in their own territory, Goshawks make

harsh screams to warn off intruders. When flying inareas away from their nest, they make "kuk-kuk" or"kek-kek' sounds.

"IFESPAN: The lifespan of a goshawk is about fifteenyears which is long for a bird.

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' lf ze ' !Zaptors

RANGE: Goshawks are widely distributed throughouththe northern hemisphere, in Europe, Russia, NorthAmerica, and Canada.POPULATION: Populations seem to be stable with therange expanding in the Eastern United States. Currentdata suggests that northern Goshawks are not decreasinginpopulation, threatened, or endangered in the Southwestor elsewhere within its range.MIGRATION: Most Northern Goshawks remain in theirterritory year round, moving only to find prey, but somemigration does occur in late August to early Septemberwiththe birds returning totheir nesting areas inFebruary.

HABITAT: Goshawks are strictlywoodland birds.BREEDING: The female attracts the male by perchingnear a suitable nesting site and calling. . The male willeither build a newnest or rennovate an oldone. Old nestsare regularly reused by a' succession of different pairs.The nests are usually high up & under good cover of acanopy of leaves, giving protection from predators. Aboutfour to five eggs are laid over the period of a few daysstarting in late April. Incubation begins after the last egghas been laid, isonlydone bythe female, andlasts for approximately fiveweeks. Normally, the youngall hatch at around the same time. The female willferociously defend the nest and willoften attack intrudinghumans.FOOD: Goshawks prey on medium to large birds andmammals. Prey represents a varied diet including

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%.e ' l < J ! p t o r s

starlings, pigeons, grouse, rats, young rabbits, hares,foxes, and many other things in between.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: Prey is taken from the ground,out of the air, or even out of trees. The Goshawknormally flies directly at the prey, but will sometimes useany available concealment to take the prey by suprise,Goshawks often display dizzying bursts of speed whenchasing prey. Short wings and a maneuverable tail enablethe raptor to turn rapidly and brake suddenly in pursuit ofquarry. Reagardless of their skill at the chase, goshawksoften injure themselves. They are often so focused on theprey that they collide with objects in the flight path. Oncethe prey is caught, the goshawk usually returns to a perchto pluck the prey before eating it. Individual goshawks.often display an individual preference for one type of prey.USE IN FALCONRY: The Goshawk is a very popularraptor in falconry and is regarded by many as thequintesential hunting bird.. Most falconers valueGoshawks for their aggressive dispositions and theirwillingness to chase a variety of prey. Goshawks tend tobe nervous, temperament raptors, so manning is anextremely stage of training for them. They are best left toexperienced falconers, since many inexperienced falconerswill lose the raptor during the hunt.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Goshawk is included on the"Sensitive Species" lists of the U.S. Forest Service.Sensitive species status requires biological evaluations toconsider potential impacts of proposed managementactions. Goshawks are also considered a "managementindicator" species in many national forests because theyare potentially-sensitive to habitat change.

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' THe ' l(ap tOTS

COMMON NAMES: American Kestrel, Sparrow HawkSCIENTIFIC NAME: Falco sparveriusPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Size: The American Kestrel is one of the smallest ofthe common falcons, the only smaller Falcon being theSeychelles Kestrel of Europe. The American Kestrelmeasures nine to twelve inches in length. Females aregenerally larger than males.

Weight: At maturity, the Kestrel will generally weighonly four ounces.

Wingspan: Between 22 and 27"Colors: Like all falcons, the Kestrel has distinct falcon

facial markings including the 'mustache' and 'sideburns'.On the American Kestrel these markings are black or darkbrown. With double black stripes on a white face, theKestrel is easily distinguished. The backs and tails aredecorated with rust plumage and they are the only falconsto have rust colored backs. The tail is relatively long witha much narrower tip and is marked by terminal blackbarring.

Voice: An extremely vocal raptor, the Kestrel's voiceis high-pitched and very fast. Its call is described assounding like "klee, klee, klee" or "killy, killy, killy".LIFESPAN: One researcher estimated that the averagelifespan of American Kestrels as 12.6 months. One birdwas recorded as reaching 11 years and 9-year~old kestrels

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are not uncommon. Average lifespan in a captive colonywas 5 years.RANGE: American Kestrels live in North and SouthAmerica from near the tree line in Alaska and Canada tosouthernmost South America. Their range extends to theWest Indies, the Juan Fernandez Islands, and Chile. Theyare not typically found in rainforest areas and they do notmigrate long distances.POPULATION: Estimated 1.2 million breeding pairs inNorth America alone.MIGRATION: Unlike some migratory raptors, theAmerican Kestrel does not seem to mind the cold and isoften seen spending the winters near their home ranges.HABITAT: Farm areas, prairies, wooded streams,deserts, other rural settings, and occasionally on roadsides.BREEDING: In the wild, the American Kestrel does notbuild its own nest. Itis common for them to use emptymagpie nests, woodpecker cavities, holes within saguarocactus, cliff sides, and, in more domestic areas, niches inbuildings, or nest boxes made specifically for them. TheKestrel is described as a "cavity nester". The maledisplays a special gliding flight to attract a female'sattention to a potential breeding place. After mating, thefemale will lay three to five near white, spotted eggs. Thespotting is generally light brown. An unusual trait amongKestrels is that the male will sometimes help withincubation. This is not common behavior among mostrap tors. Incubation usually lasts for a month. The babyKestrels grow very quickly and reach adult weight withinonly two and ' if"" half weeks. They will leave the nest andbegin to fly within a month. Kestrels have been reported to

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raise as many as two broods a year in some southernAmerican states.FOOD: The American Kestrel preys primarily on smallrodents and insects. They have also been known to preyupon amphibians, snakes, other birds, and worms.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: The Kestrel seems to prefer toperch for hunting. The Kestrel hovers, wings beatingrapidly. A fast flyer, the American Kestrel has beenknown to achieve speeds of 40 MPH which allows him toeasily catch prey in flight.USE IN FALCONRY: The diminutive American Kestrel isa falcon commonly known in falconry. It is, in fact, one ofthe first allowed to American apprentice falconers. TheKestrel is more difficult to care for than the Red TailedHawk, however. Due mostly to the fact that they have veryfast metabolisms and weight maintenance can poseproblems.CONSERVATION: The Kestrel's conservation status isgood. Moreover, the Kestrel seems to actually benefitfrom agriculture as their numbers continue to grow as thepercentage of land dedicated to farming increases.

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7 1 i e 2?_apors

COMMONNAME: GYRFALCONSCIENTIFIC NAME,;, Falco RusticolusPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Size: Length is 20-25 inches. The largest falcon in the

world, the gyrfalcon has three plumage phases: gray,black, and white. With the dark eye, notched beak, andpointed wings typical of falcons, the size and color of thisbird leavenodoubt that as toits identity.Weight: up to4.6 lbWingspan: up to63"Colors: This raptor's size and color makes it easily

identifiable. In the most northerly part of its range isalmost uniformly white, becoming darker as it movesfurther south. The gyrfalcon is unusual among birds inthat it has three distinct color morphs. The three colorphases are grey, dark and white.Voice: Apersistent, harsh, screeching chatter.

LIFESPAN: Up to 25 years in captivity, probably about12or lessinthe wild.RANGE: Gyrfalcons are found in arctic and sub-arcticregions around the world.

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POPULATION: Asa species Gyrfalcons are thought toberelatively common, though accurate population estimatesare limited bythe remoteness of the breeding range.MIGRATION: Gyrfalcons inhabit sub-arctic and evenarctic ranges and will migrate to regions that are moresoutherly for the winter. Ironically, some of their southernmigration ranges are the same northern ranges other birdsabandon yearly tomoveevenfurther south.

HABITAT: Rocky seacoasts and islands near sea birdcolonies, rivers with rocky bluffs, and mountains above thetimberline are all home tobreeding gyrfalcons. Aswith theother large falcons, this bird relies on open space inwhichtohunt.BREEDING: Gyrfalcons form a monogamous bond thatlasts probably until one of the birds dies. The firstbreeding occurs at twotothree yearsof age. The selectionof the breeding territory is dependant on the amount ofsnow cover at the beginning of the breeding season, andthe spacing of usable nest sites is dependant on theavailability of prey. The nest sitewill be on a cliffedge orsimilar rock outcropping, with an overhanging cover.foprotect against the northern weather. A clutch of three orfour eggs is laid at two to three day intervals during lateApril toearly May. The eggs are incubated, starting withthe third egg, for 34 to36 days with most of the incubationdone by the female. The young are able tofeed themselvesat about 30 days, and will fledge within 20 days of thateventFOOD: Gyrfalcons feed primarily onbirds, inparticularptarmigan and sea birds, but also includesmammals in itsdiet, suchas lemmings, ground squirrels, and rabbits.

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' T F l f ! . Jqlp tors

HUNTING TECHNIQUE: The Gyrfalcon hunts mainlyother birds that it overtakes with sudden bursts of speed.USE IN FALCONRY: Although the Gyrfalcon has beentraditionally used in falconry since the European MiddleAges, their numbers have not suffered terribly from thecapture of wild birds. Like many larger species of raptor,the Gyrfalcon can be easy-going and more trusting thanother birds with its handlers, but they may also be moredifficult tohandle because of their sheer size.CONSERVATION STATUS: Considered common inmany parts of its range and declining in others, thegyrfalcon seems to have escaped the problems that befellthe peregrine falcon inmany parts of the world. It shouldbe noted, however, that extensive surveys over most of itsarctic range have been few and far between. The biggestthreat to peregrine falcons is the indiscriminate use ofpesticides on their winter range. Gyrfalcons are for themost part dependent on non-migratory prey and aretherefore less predisposed to chemical contamination. Bothfalcons are potentially threatened by nest site disturbanceor poaching of nestlings from nest sites for captivebreeding or falconry.

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COMMON NAME: MERLINSCIENTIFIC NAME: Falco columbarius

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Size: About 12-14". Slightly larger than kestrelsWeight: Approximately 6-7 ouncesWingspan: 22-30 inchesColors: The male Merlin is brighter than the female

and has a "slate blue" color, whereas the female Merlinappears to be duller and brown. The breast of the bird ismostly white with some brownish streaks. The Merlin'slegs are yellow in color or orange ,when breeding. AllMerlins have dark eyes which are very large in size. Abovetheir eyes is a white eyebrow-like pattern.Voice: Merlins emit a shrill "ki-ki-ki" cry when alarmedor breeding.LIFESPAN: Average 7 yearsRANGE: Merlins are found worldwide. They breed in thenorthern latitudes and migrating south into Mexico andSouth America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, andsouthern China.

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'lfie : J ( ap tors

POPULATION: Merlin populations may be affected. inthe future as pesticides are found in their eggshells withlevels high enough to affect reproduction. Merlinpopulation is linked to that of the meadow pipits, its mainfood source.

MIGRATION: The Merlin Falcon of North Americafrequently migrates during the winter to southwestern,warmer climates. There are" four different subspecies ofMerlin Falcon on that continent: the Bendire's Merlin,Richardson's Merlin, American Merlin, and Black PigeonHawk, differentiated by varying coloration and preferredmigratory locale.HABITAT: Nests are found in forests or scrublands thatare near open areas where the rap tors can hunt.BREEDING: Like other falcons, Mertins do not buildtheir own nests, but instead use the old stick nests of crowsor magpies. Up to five eggs may be laid and incubated bythe female. The young remain together after fledging andmay migrate south together.FOOD: Merlins feed primarily on small to medium-sizebirds, but will also take insects, rodents, and small lizards.Known to take birds as large as pigeons, they more oftentake small passerines or shorebirds.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: The"Merlin either flies slowlyat low altitudes or wait on a tree branch until it sees itsprey. As the Merlin flies slowly after it, the quarryprobably believes that the Merlin Falcon is a slow, non-threatening, bird, so it does not flee. When the Merlin isclose, it darts in suddenly to snatch the unsuspecting prey.USE IN FALCONRY: Merlins are a rather difficult birdto keep in captivity, and therefore should only be handled38

by experienced falconers. Their quick metabolisms requirea monitored diet and careful weight recording. They tamequickly, but are nevertheless impatient and falconersexperience difficulty with their wait-on time.CONSERVATION STATUS: The Merlin is not affordedany special status.

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' T h e :J ( .f lptors

COMMON NAME: COOPER'S HAWK, CHICKENHAWKSCIENTIFIC NAME: Accipiter cooperiiPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Size: Medium-sized hawk from 14 to 20 inches IIIlength.Weight: Females average a little over a pound; malesaverage 12&15ouncesWingspan: 29-37"Colors: The adults have a gray/blue back, a white

underside, horizontally streaked with reddish bars. Thehead has a black cap, and there are three black bands onthe tail. The outer tail feathers are shorter than the rest ofthe tail feathers, giving the tail a rounded appearance,which is the only way to distinguish this bird from thesharp-shinned hawk other than size difference.LIFESPAN: A cooper's hawk can live to be 7 years.One banded bird lived 10 years 6 months.RANGE: A North American species, Cooper's hawksbreed from southern Canada to the southern part of theU.S.MIGRATION: Fall migration of Cooper's Hawks usuallypeaks during the first two weeks of October.

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'm e '1(ap tOTSHABIT AT: .A forest dwelling bird found in deciduouswoodlands but also seen in urban areas. Not uncommonaround farm woodlots.BREEDING: Cooper's hawks build a stick nest high inthe middle of a deciduous tree, usually in the crotch, whereit lays from two to five eggs. They are known to return tothe same area to nest year after year, although recentstudies have shown that individual birds change mates andnest sites frequently in succeeding years.FOOD: Mostly a predator of birds, the Cooper's hawkalso feeds on mammals, particularly squirrels andchipmunks. Once the scourge chicken farmers, it is one ofmany raptors given the label "chicken hawk."HUNTING TECHNIQUE: The Coopers Hawk does a low,rapid attack through the woods. They have an amazingability to navigate through all kind,S of brush at lightningspeeds. They will sometimes take their prey to a nearbywater source to drown it, and then proceed to pluck thecarcass prior to eating.USE IN FALCONRY: Cooper's Hawks tend to be jitteryin captivity and are best left to experienced falconers. Theyare determined and will give very long-range chases, soyou must be prepared to follow them. Cooper's Hawksmay be best used hooded until they are close to the game inorder to avoid long chases. Once they find prey, Cooper'sHawks refuse to be denied.CONSERVATION STATUS: Populations were thought tobe declining as early as the 1930s. The Coopers Hawk hassuffered greatly from persecution due to its tendency totake poultry. Habitat destruction has also been a problem.It is considered an endangered species in some states.

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' I he 2 \ [ Ip l or "

SCIENTIFIC NAME: BubovirginianusCOMMON NAMES: hoot owl, big cat owl, silent tigerPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Size: 18-26 inches. Great horned owlsare the largest

commonowl in the east.Weight: 3-4 lbs (females slightlylarger than males)Wingspan: 49-62 inchesColors: Dark brown, with a squared off head, gray

mottled and streaked below, setting off the stark whitethroat patch. They also have prominent widely spaced eartufts and large yelloweyes.These owls are highly variablein color. The back, wings, and tail are mottled and barredwith dark brown, with the ground color yellowish buff,tawny brown, or even, in the northernmost populations,pure white. The throat is white, and the remaining underparts are barred with black and white, the width of thedark bars also varying geographically. The conspicuousear tufts or "horns" givethe speciesits name.Voice: Hoots. Whooo-whooo-whooooooo-who-who.

The male vocalizations are more elaborate, moreprolonged, ricber, deeper, and more mellowthan tbose ofthe female.LIFESPAN;>rGreat horned owls can live greater than 12years; some captive birds have livedto29 years old.

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'Tfu 2(aptors

RANGE: From southern Canada south, throughout thelower 48 States and into Central and South America. Theyhave the most extensive range, widest prey base, and mostvariable nesting sitesofany American owl.POPULATION: Widespread and numerous.MIGRATION: Because of its skill in hunting during allseasons, the Great Horned Owl has no need to migratelong distances other than toshift hunting technique to theseasonal availability of different small animals. Therefore,the only requirement for dispersal is to find a vacantterritory toavoid conflictwithanother pair ofowls.HABITAT: Awidevariety of terrain, but denselyforestedregions are preferred. These can beconifer, hardwood, ormixed. Great Horned Owlsprefer evergreens for roostingpurposes.BREEDING: Aswithmost owls,great horned owlsdonotmake their own nests, but tend touse an abandoned red-tailed hawk's nest. Theseowlshave awider range of nestsites than any other bird in the Americas and willsometimes nest in hollows in trees, on cliffs or artificialplatforms, and will also lay eggson the ground. Nests arenormally used for only one season. Great horned owlsmay start nesting as early as late November. Normally,there are two white to slightly dusty white roundly ovaleggs. Incubation isdone by the femaleonlyand can beasshort as 30 days or as long as 35. Young great hornedowlsbegin branching at 5 weeks,whentheyare almost thesizeof their parents. However, they are not efficient fliersuntil 9-10 weeks.FOOD: Great horned owl prey averages 75% mammalsconsistingmostlyof rabbits, hares, squirrels, various otherrodents- skunks, raccoons, shrews, armadillos and bats.43

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Only 6% of the diet consists of birds, including all otherowls with the exception of the snowy owl, The birds areplucked before eating. They will also take reptiles andfish. Great horned owls tend to select the largest availableprey, because smaller prey costs more energy than itbenefits in food.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: Great horned owls are perchand pounce hunters and tend to perch during the daylighthours in a protected rocky alcove or on a tree limb. Theymainly hunt at night, but may hunt in daylight hours.From a quiet perch, the owl listens for sounds that betraya creature's presence. They may move about from tree totree to get a better fix on the source of the sound. Oncethey pinpoint the sound, the owl silently swoops in, spreadsits talons wide and pounces on its prey. Hence the name -perch and pounce. Smaller prey is swallowed whole; butlarger prey is torn into pieces. These owls will also walk onthe ground to capture small prey or wade into water tosnatch a frog or fish.USE IN FALCONRY: Great Horned Owls may be used infalconry but a common complaint is that they arestubborn. Many falconers complain that wild-caughtGreat Horned Owls are nearly impossible to train and saythat imprints or eyases are necessary for good hunting.Problems also include the legality of night hunting, whichvaries from place to place. Also, the perch and swoopmethod of hunting, which the Great Horned Owl uses,makes it difficult for the' Owl to be used in long chases andnearly impossible for use with dogs. Imprinted GreatHorned Owls are often sociable and form strong bondswith their ~~ndlers. Great Horned Owls are powerfulhunters and intelligent birds, and it is said that they areenthusiastic bird hunters as well being valuable inmammal hunting.

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CONSERVATION STATUS: Great Horned Owls arewidespread and common. They adapt well to change andare doing well in most areas. While some illegal shootingand trapping of these owls takes place, the future of thegreat horned owl appears to be secure. Ithas adapted wellto the presence of people and may be more common nowthan it was in pre-settlement times. Like other rap tors,these owls benefit people by eating destructive rodents.

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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Accipiter striatusCOMMON NAME: Sharp-shinned hawk, SharpieIDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:

Size: Length is about 11".Weight: Males, 3-4 ounces; females, 6-8 ounces.\Vingspan: 23"Color: The tail has four straight dark bands. The color

of the adult is dark blue-gray, white, yellow-orange to deepred. The young hawks are mainly light brown.

Voice: A series of sharp "kik" notes.

LIFESPAN: Recorded up to thirteen years. Average inthe wild is probably closer to four years.RANGE: Throughout most of North America, breedingfrom southern Alaska to central California, Arizona, NewMexico and northern Texas.

I. POPULATION: One or the most common hawks in manyareas, seen by the tens of thousands during migration., , _ . 'MIGRATION: A highly migratory species, it leaves the

northern United States in September and winters inCentral America.

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HABIT AT: Forests and thickets.BREEDING: Most nests are built in mature trees againstthe trunk and supported by one or more large branchesand shaded from above. Males may show a high degree ofterritoriality by having several old nests located within asmall area. Nest a substantial platform of large, oftenfresh twigs broken from branches with a center lined withbark chips. Males assist in building the nest. Old nests ofCooper's Hawks, crows, and other species may berefurbished and reused. Usually 4- 5 eggs which are whiteto bluish white, some marked with splotches of brown.Newborns are covered in white down, with eyes open.FOOD: Feeds primarily on small song birds.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: The sharp-shinned is a smallhawk that can outmaneuver other birds and catch them inmid-air.CONSERVATION STATUS: The Sharp-shinned Hawk islisted as a species of concern in several states andCanadian provinces. Although migration-count data haveindicated a decline in populations, breeding survey dataseems to indicate an increase. Of particular importance tothe future of this raptor is the understanding of itssensitivity to forest fragmentation and various landpractices.

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upwind which increases their aerodynamic control andmaneuverability. Golden Eagles are masters at soaring.With their large wingspread these birds can soar for longperiods of time with little wing flapping. They may catchthermals, rising masses of warm air, to carry them in aspiral fashion upward high into the sky. 'If the bird spotsprey while soaring, it can tuck its wings and swoop atspeeds up to200mph. To a nearby person, the bird maysound likea low-flying,small airplane. The birds may alsohunt from a favorite perch.USE IN FALCONRY: The process of training a GoldenEagle is long and complex. Only experienced General andMaster falconers should attempt.it,CONSERVATION STATUS: The golden eagle is'federally protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act of1962. In some parts, a decline of golden eaglepopulationshas been recorded. Washington and Montana list it as aspecies of special concern, while Maine, New'Hampshireand NewYork recognize it as an endangered species. Butin other areas they are common and populations arestable. They are considered to be fairly common in thewestern United States, Canada, and Alaska, and someestimates range up to 70,000birds. Goldeneagles are stillsubject to illegal shooting due to the erroneous belief tha~theyare a serious threat toranch animals.

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SCIENTIFIC NAME: FalcomexicanusCOMMONNAME: Prairie falconPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Size: 1620 inchesWeight: 12poundsWingspan: 40 inchesColors: Dark brown cap and cheek. Pale supercilium

and patch behind eye. Pale face and throat with thin,dark mustache mark. Dark axiIlars and underwingcoverts. Brown back withpale brown fringes. Brown tailwith very faint darker bands. Whitish under parts have afewdark streaks on breast and spots on the belly. Short,dark, hooked beak.Voice: Prairie falcons make a "kree-kree-kree" call.

LIFESPAN: Adults may livetobe 20years old, but theaverage lifespan is lessthan three years.RANGE: Breeds from parts of Canada south to Mexicoand northern Texas. Winters in breeding range andsparingly farther east.POPULATION: Although numbers have declined insomedeveloped areas, it appears that the current population isstable overall. Population also may be declining in someplacesdue tohabitat lossand possiblydue tonest robbingbypeople. Rodent poisoningmayalsobea problem.

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MIGRATION: Prairie Falcons shift habitats periodicallythroughout the year, and some migrate long distances. Inlate summer, ground squirrels move underground toescape the heat. Prairie Falcons, losing their major sourceof prey, leave the nesting grounds at this time and head tohigher elevations, where snowmelt prolongs the growingseason. In late fall, some birds return to the shrub-steppe,and many spend the winter in open fields and agriculturalareas, taking advantage of the flocking birds that winterthere. Some also move short distances south and eastduring the winter.HABITAT: Barren mountains, dry plains, and prairies,BREEDING: Prairie falcons usually begin breeding attwo years of age. In late winter or early spring the femalelays three to six pinkish eggs, blotched with brown, on acliff or in an abandoned nest. The eggs hatch after about amonth. The young are able tofly after 40 days.FOOD: Prairie falcons eat small mammals and otherbirds. The young eat insects. They tend to develop a likingfor one favorite food and then eat that until the supply isdepleted.HUNTING TECHNIQUE: The Prairie Falcon's dietconsists mainly of birds, which it pursues on the wing butusually captures on or near the ground. When an elevatedperch is available, it will spend a considerable amount oftime watching for prey. In open country without highperches, this raptor flies low over the ground and flushesthe prey. e,JUSE IN FALCONRY: Falconers sometimes use thePrairie Falcon in falconry, especially in the western states.Somewhat difficult to train and unpredictable in the field,so recommended to advanced falconers only.52

CONSERVATION STATUS: Because of their protectionand healthy population the Prairie Falcons have no specialconservation status.

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THE PHOTO ALBUM

C .OOPERI HAWIt GO~DIl-{ EAGLE

GofHAVIR

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HA -D -RIfHAWK

5 S

GRIA T HOB -N ED OWIe

M.ElUIN

'The : fV. lptOI~\ 'Eth ics ana Legar


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IHARpIHIH

HAWK

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ETHICS AND LEGALFALCONRY CODES OF ETHICS

The sport of falconry carries with it some uniqueresponsibilities. The following are Codes of Ethics fromvarious organizations. They are representative of mostsuch codes in the various states and countries.

AN ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICSI. DEFINITIONS: r1) Falconry is a sport in which rap tors are trained and

flown and used tohunt quarry, (natural prey species) in itsnatural state.

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2) In this code, the word "hawk" includes falcons,hawks, eagles and other diurnal birds of prey capable ofbeing used for the sport of falconry.II. CAREANDTRAINING OFFALCONRYBIRDS:

1) The falconer shall keep, within the limits set by theregulations and by-laws, only those hawks (those byspecies and quantity) that he can regularly fly at quarry,except for birds incapable of sustained flight and potentialbreeders that are held according the applicable section.2) Hawks shall be housed, fed, equipped, trained andexercised inamanner most conducivetotheir well-being.3) The falconer shall keep a logbook (diary) of his

falconry activities.4) The falconer shall make every reasonable effort to

recover a losthawk and tocure or a sickor injured hawk.5) If a hawk is no longer wanted or cannot be kept or

flown adequately, the falconer shall endeavor to eitherpass it on toanother qualified falconer able to fly it at wildquarry, place it with a raptor breeder, or return the birdto the wild at an appropriate time of year when it has fullcapability of sustaining itself.6) Prior to deliberately returning a raptor to the wild,the falconer shall notify the Secretary of the Associationinorder that the bird might first be made available tootherfalconers-whocouldmake gooduseofthe it.

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III. OBSERVANCE OF FALCONRY LAWS ANDREGULATIONS:1) Each falconer is under a moral as well as a legalobligation to observe the laws and regulations of thosegovernments exercising authority with regards to thetaking, possession, import and export of raptors, thetaking of quarry and access to land.2) To propose changes to governmental falconryregulations or to seek legal clarification of theseregulations, the falconer shall first consult thisassociation's Board of Directors. The Board shall act asliaison during discussions on such subjects withgovernment officials and shall ensure that such proposalsand clarifications represent the Associationas awhole.

IV.CONSERVATIONOFRAPTO~S:1) The well-being of our native raptor population is

fundamental to the continued practice of falconry. Eachfalconer should endeavor to promote to the utmost thewelfare and survival of raptor populations in the wild inaccordance with accepted precepts of use-managementconservation.2) Associationmembers shall not take haggards, i.e.wild

breeding-age birds, except under exceptionalcircumstances (such as birds that otherwise would bedestroyed due todepredation).3) In taking legal wildeyasses, the falconer shall leaveat

least one young to the eyrie/nest unless exceptionalcircumstances prevail.

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V. CAPTIVE BREEDING:Captive breeding shall be undertaken only incircumstances in which there is at least a reasonablechance of success.

2) Captive breeding birds shall be kept in clean, humaneconditions and provided with ample opportunity to breed.3) Falconers shall keep full, proper records of theircaptive breeding efforts.VI. COMMERCE IN RAPTORS:1) Association members shall not engage in commercial

traffic in wild North American raptors except as providedfor in the regulations.2) Captive-bred progeny may be given, traded or sold

only to persons who are licensed or otherwise able tolegally possess falconry birds and who will properly carefor and either fly or breed the birds.VII. RELATIONSHIP WITH WILDLIFE OFFICIALS:The falconer shall attempt to create and maintain arelationship of mutual cooperation and trust withgovernment wildlife officials. This includes the promptsubmission of annual falconry permit reports and reportsof new birds, lost birds, lost bands, etc., and timely renewalof permits at the appropriate time.

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VIII. PUBLIC RELATIONS:1) The falconer shall promote a good, positive image of

the sport of falconry and the role of raptors in theenvironment. 60

2) The falconer shall endeavor topractice falconry of thehighest standards and shall hunt only in a sportsmanlikemanner.

3) When hunting with raptors the falconer shall use theutmost discretion when bystanders are present.

4) Non-falconers shall not be encouraged to becomefalconers unless they show convincing enthusiasm anddetermination to enter into falconry in a knowledgeableand serious way and in accordance with the code of ethics.

IX. PUBLICITY:1) Public falconry displays, media presentations, orinterviews regarding falconry are not to be given bymembers without the written approval of the Board ofDirectors. School presentations, etc., are permitted byRegular or Master without prior approval. Such publicityis to be educational and accurate, with strong emphasis onconservation of raptors, noting great difficulties insuccessfully practicing the sport, refraining fromsensationalism and exhibitionism and presented in amanner, which will not bring the sport into disrepute.Non-practicing, Novice and Apprentice members shall nottake part in publicity activities unless under the directsupervision of a licensed falconer.

2) Although the Association does encourage conservationactivities by its members, any such actions shall not bepromoted as activities of the Association without thewritten approval from the Board of Directors.

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X. ENFORCEMENT:1) The breach of any of the provisions of the Code by amember of this association may be deemed to be an actioninjurious to the interests of falconry and the Association.This may result in the expelling of the person from theAssociation as provided for under the by-laws and the lossof licensure.XI. GENERAL:The falconer is expected to use discretion, moderation

and common sense in all falconry related activities. Thisshould ensure the best possible handling of the falconrybird and should help to maintain our sport in its mostfavorable light.

FALCONER'S CODE OF ETHICS1. First and foremost, I follow the laws regarding falconry,2. I do not keep rap tors unless I fly them free during thehunting season. .3. IfI no longer intend to fly a bird, I will transfer my birdto another code-following falconer; or I will release thebird only if it is actively proving itself in the field.4. I do not draw undue attention to my birds.S. I keep.my birds, mews, and equipment in top condition.6. I do everything in my power to recover a lost bird, andto bring a sick raptor back to health.

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7. If I am training an apprentice falconer, I will onlyadvance them to "general" falconer if they follow the code.

FALCONER'S FIELD ETHICS

GENERAL RULESDonot feed your bird in the presence of other raptors.Hide all food from viewof any raptor.Perch your bird so it cannot accidentally get to anotherbird.Donot hunt near the weathering area.Do not stand behind or next to a falconer's bird unless thefalconer okays its.Get permission to closely approach a perched bird.Report any falconry equipment that is damaged or brokento the falconer immediately.

HUNTING PROPERTY RULESAlways get permission to hunt on private propertyGive owner your name and away of contacting you.Leave property in the condition you found it i.e., closegates, do not leave trash, etc.

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Report any abnormalities you may notice, i.e., injuredlivestock, down fence, etc.Get permission for the use of dogs or firearms.

Ask how many vehicles and people may come in at a time.Let the landowner know the dates and times you will be onhis property.Ifyou are a guest of a falconer on private property, respecthis agreement with the landowner by entering theproperty only when accompanied by the falconer or by thelandowner.

GROUP HUNTING RULESWhen several falconers are hunting together agree on:

who will go first, how you will divide the allotted time (bytime or kills).Ifa bird is not hunting or following bring the bird down soanother falconer can hunt.

All falconers in the group should stay until all birds havehunted. It iswrong to leave after your bird is done and nothelp the others.The falc~per that is flying is in control of the pace anddirection of the hunt.The falconer that is flying should tell all present hisparticular way of hunting, i.e., walking distance fromfalconer, when to pull vines, when and who is to shootmarbles, when to approach hawk on game.64

If another falconer wants to join your group politely tellthem your group is full.

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FALCONRY AND THE LAWDue to its nature, falconry is a highly regulated activity.

There are many laws and regulations the novice falconershould become familiar with prior to beginning hisapprenticeship.This section is divided into two areas:* Federal laws dealing with falconry and raptors in

general* An overview of the examination required of

prospective falconers

THE LAW

Excerpted on the following pages are several sections oflaws applicable to falconry in the United States. All lawsare subject to change and update of course, and there arealso applicable state and local laws which should beresearched.

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TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIESCHAPTER I--UNITED STATES FISH ANDWILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THEINTERIORPART 21--MIGRATORY BIRD PERMITS

SUBPART C--SPECIFIC PERMITPROVISIONSSEC. 21.21 IMPORT AND EXPORT PERMITS.(a) Permit requirement. (1) Except for migratory game

birds imported in accordance with the provisions ofsubp~r~ G of. part 20 of this subchapter B, an importpermit IS required before any migratory birds, their parts,nests, or eggs may be imported .. (2) An e~port permit is required before any migratorybirds, their parts, nests, or eggs may be exported:Provided, that captive-reared migratory game birds thatare marked in compliance with the provisions of Sec.21.13(b) may be exported to Canada or Mexico without apermit.Provided further, that raptors lawfully possessed under afalconry permit issued pursuant to Sec. 21.28 of this partmay be exported to or imported from Canada or Mexicowithout a permit for the purposes of attending bona fidefalconry meets, as long as the person importing ore~porting the bird~ returns the same bird(s) to the countryof export followmg any such meet. Nothing in thispara?raph, however, exempts any person from the permitrequirements of parts 17, 22, and 23 of this subchapter.

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(b) Application procedures. Applications for permits toimport or export migratory birds shall besubmitted totheappropriate issuing office(see[[Page427]]Sec.Sec. 10.22and 13.11(b)of this subchapter). Each suchapplication must contain the general information andcertification required bySec.13.12(a)(5)of this subchapterplus the followingadditional information:(1)Whether importation or exportation is requested;(2)The species and numbers of migratory birds or their

parts, nests, or eggstobeimported or exported;(3) .The name and address of the person from whom

such birds are being imported or towhom they are beingexported;(4)The purpose of the importation or exportation;(5) The estimated date of arrival or departure of the

shipment(s), and the port of entry or exit through whichthe shipment willbe imported or exported; and(6) Federal and State permit numbers and type of

permits authorizing possession, acquisition, or dispositionof such birds, their parts, nests, or eggs where such apermit is required.(c) Additional permit conditions. In addition to thegeneral conditions set forth inpart 13of this subchapter B,import and export permits shall be subject to anyrequirements set forth inthe permit.(d) Term of permit. An import or export permit issuedor renewed under this part expires on the date designated

on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, hutthe termof the.permit shall not exceedthree (3)years fromthe date'of issuanceor renewal.

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SEC. 21.28 FALCONRY PERMITS.(a) Permit requirements. A falconry permit is required

before any person may take, possess, transport, sell,purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase, or barter raptorsfor falconry purposes.(b)Application procedures. (1)Anapplicant whowishes

topractice falconry ina State listedinSec.21.29(k)of thispart and which has been designated as a participant in acooperativeFederal/State permit applicationprogram maysubmit an application for a falconry permit to theappropriate agency of that State. Each such applicationmust incorporate a completed official form approved bythe Service and must include in addition to the generalinformation required by part 13of this subchapter all ofthefollowing:(i)The number of raptors the applicant possessesat the

time the application issubmitted, including the species,age(if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, and sourceofeach;(ii) A check or moneyorder made payable to "U.S. Fish

and WildlifeService" in the amount of the application feelisted inSec.13.1l(d) of this subchapter.(iii) An original, signed certification concerning the

validity of the information provided in the application inthe formset forth inSec.13.12(a)(5).(iv) Any additional information requested by the State

towhich theapplication is submitted.(2)Uponreceipt of ajoint applicationbya State listed inSec. 21.29(k). as a' participant in a cooperativeFederal/State permit application program, the State willprocess the application for a State falconry permit inaccordance with its own procedures. A copy of theapplication, the check or moneyorder for Federal permitfees, and the original, signed certification required byparagraph (b)(l)(iii) of this section will be forwarded to

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the issuing officeof the Servicedesignated bySec.13.lI(b)of this subchapter. If the State decides to issue a falconrypermit based upon the application, a copy of the permitwill alsobe forwarded to the appropriate issuing office oftheService.(3) An applicant who wishes to practice falconry in aState listed in Sec. 21.29(k)of this subchapter, but whichdoesnot participate in a cooperative Federal/State permitapplication program must submit awritten application fora falconry permit to the issuing office designated by Sec.13.11(b)of this subchapter. Each application must containthe general information and certification required by Sec.13.12(a) of this subchapter plus a copy of a valid Statefalconry permit issued to the applicant bya State listed inSec.21.19(k)of this subchapter.(c) Issuance criteria. Upon receiving an application"completed inaccordance withparagraph (b)of this sectionthat meets all requirements of this part, the Director willissue a permit. In addition tomeeting the general criteriain Sec. 13.2I(b), the applicant must have a valid Statefalconry permit issued by a State listed inSec.21.29(k) ofthis subchapter.(d) Permit conditions. In addition to the generalconditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter, everypermit issued under this section shall be subject to thefollowingspecial conditions:(1) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess agolden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) unless authorized in

writing under Sec.22.24of this subchapter.(2) ~,'permit issued under this sectionisno! ~alidunless

the permittee has a valid State falconry permit IssuedbyaState listed inSec.21.29(k)of this subchapter.(3) A permittee may not take, possess, transport, sell,purchase, barter, or transfer any raptor for falconrypurposes except under authority of a Federal falconrypermit issued under this section and in compliance with

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the Federal falconry standards set forth in Sec. 21.29 ofthis subchapter.(4) No permittee may take, purchase, receive, or

otherwise acquire, sell, barter, transfer, or otherwisedisposeofany raptor unlesssuchpermittee submits a form3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report),completed inaccordance with the instructions on the form,to the issuing office within five (5) calendar days of anysuch transaction.(5) No raptor may be possessed under authority of a

falconry permit unless the permittee has a properlycompleted form 3-186A (Migratory BirdAcquisition/Disposition Report) for each bird possessed,except as provided inparagraph (d)(4)of this section.(6) A raptor possessed under authority of a falconry

permit may betemporarily held byaperson other than thepermittee for maintenance and care for a period not toexceed thirty (30) days. The raptor must be accompaniedat all times by a properly completed form 3-186A(Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report)designating the person caring for the raptor as thepossessor of record and bya signed, dated statement fromthe permittee authorizing the temporary possession.(7)A permittee may not take, possess, or transport any

peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falcorusticolus), or Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) unlesssuch bird is banded either by a seamless numbered bandprovided by the Service or by a permanent, non-reusableband provided bythe Service.

(i) Any peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon(Falco rusticolus), or Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)taken from the wildmust be reported tothe issuing officewithin five (5) days of taking and must be banded with apermanent, non-reusable band provided by the Service.Noraptor removed from the wild may be banded with aseamlessnumbered band.

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(ii) The lossor removal of any band must be reported tothe issuing office within five (5) working days of the loss.The lost band must be replaced by a permanent, non-reusable band supplied by the Service. A form 3-186A(Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) must befiled in accordance with paragraph (d)(4) of this sectionreporting the lossof the band and rebanding.(8) A permittee may not sell, purchase, barter, or offerto sell, purchase or barter any raptor unless the raptor ismarked on the metatarsus by a seamless, numbered bandsupplied by the Service.(9) A permittee may not propagate raptors without

prior acquisition of a valid raptor propagation permitissued under section 21.30 of this subchapter.(e) Term of permit. A falconry permit issuedor renewed

under this part expires on the date designated on the faceof the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term ofthe permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date ofissuance or renewal.

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SEC.21.29 FEDERAL FALCONRYSTANDARDS.(a) General. Noperson may take, possess, transport, sell,

purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, or barter anyraptor for falconry purposes in any State which does notallowthe practice of falconry or inany Statewhichhas notcertified to the Director that its laws or regulationsgoverning the practice of falconry meet or exceed theFederal falconry standards set forth in this section:Except, a Federal falconry permittee may possess andtransport for falconry purposes otherwise lawfullypossessed raptors through States which do not allow thepractice of falconry or meet Federal falconry standards solong as the raptors remain in transit in interstatecommerce. The States that have submitted certification tothe Director are listed inparagraph (k)of this section.(b) More restrictive State laws. Nothing in this sectionshall ~e construed to prevent a St~te from making andenforcing laws or regulations not inconsistent with thestandards contained in any convention between the UnitedStates and any foreign country for the protection ofrap tors or with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and whichshall give further protection toraptors.(c) Certification of compliance. Any State that wishesto

allow the practice of falconry must certify to the Directorthat its laws or regulations governing the practice offalconry meet or exceed the Federal standards establishedby this section,Provided That any State that previouslysubmitted its laws or regulations for review by theDirector and was listed in paragraph (k) of this sectionprior toSeptember 14, 1989, shall be deemed tohave metthis requirement. When a State certifies to the Directorthat its laws or regulations meet or exceed these Federalstandards, a notice will be published in the Federal

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'Ethics a n a L eg a['E tl ii c s and 'L ega (

(3) Master (or equivalent) class. (i) An applicant shall


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Register and the State will be listed in paragraph (k) ofthis section.(d) Permit. State laws or regulations shall provide that a

valid State falconry permit from either that State oranother State meeting Federal falconry standards andlisted in paragraph (k) of this section is required beforeany person may take, possess, or transport a raptor forfalconry purposes or practice falconry in that State.(e) Classes of permits. States may have any number of

classes of falconry permits provided the standards are notless restrictive than the following:(1) Apprentice (or equivalent) class. (i) Permittee shall

be at least 14 years old;(ii) A sponsor who is a holder of a General or Master

Falconry Permit or equivalent class is required for the firsttwo years inwhich an apprentice permit is held, regardlessof the age of the permittee. A sponsor may not have morethan three apprentices at anyone time;(iii) Permittee shall not possess more than one captor

and may not obtain more than one raptor for replacementduring any 12-month period; and(iv) Permittee shall possess only the following rap tors

which must be taken from the wild: an American kestrel(Falco sparverius), a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis),a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo Iineatus), or, inAlaska only,a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis).(2) General (or equivalent) class. (i) A permittee shall beat least 18 years old;(ii) A permittee shall have at least two years experience

in the practice of falconry at the apprentice level or itsequivalent;(iii) A permittee may not possess more than two raptors

and may not obtain more than two raptors forreplacement birds during any 12-month period; and(iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any

golden eagle or any species listed as threatened orendangered in part 17 of this subchapter.74

have at least five years experience in the practice offalconry at the general class level or its equivalent.

(ii) A permittee may not possess more than three raptorsand may not obtain more than two raptors taken from thewild for replacement birds during any 12-month period;(iii) A permittee may not take any species listed as

endangered in part 17 of this chapter, but may transportor possess such species in accordance with part 17 of thischapter.(iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any

golden eagle for falconry purposes unless authorized inwriting under Sec. 22.24 of this subchapter;(v) A permittee may not take, in any twelve (12) month

period, as part of the three-bird limitation, more than oneraptor listed as threatened in part 17 of this chapter, andthen only in accordance with part 17 of this chapter.(f) Examination. State laws or regulations shall providethat before any State falconry, permit is issued the

applicant shall be required to answer correctly at least 80percent of the questions on a supervised examinationprovided or approved by the Service and administered bythe State, relating to basic biology, care, and handling ofraptors, literature, laws, regulations or other appropriatesubject matter.(g) Facilities and equipment. State laws or regulations

shall provide that before a State falconry permit is issuedthe applicant's raptor housing facilities and falconryequipment shall be inspected and certified by arepresentative of the State wildlife department as meetingthe following standards:

(1 .) Facilities. The primary consideration for raptorhousing facilities whether indoors (mews) or outdoors(weathering area) is protection from the environment,predators, or undue disturbance. The applicant shall havethe following facilities, except that depending upon

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'Ethics and Legaf 'Ethics and Legar

(iv) Outdoor perches-RAt least 1 weathering area perch


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climatic conditions, the issuing authority may require onlyone of the facilities described below.(i) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow

easy access for caring for the raptors housed in the facility.If more than one raptor is to be kept in the mews, theraptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions andthe area for each bird shall be large enough to allow thebird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least onewindow, protected on the inside by vertical bars, spacednarrower than the width of the bird's body, and a securedoor that can be easily closed. The floor of the mews shallpermit easy cleaning and shall be well drained. Adequateperches shall be provided.(ii) Outdoor facilities (weathering area) shall be fenced

and covered with netting or wire, or roofed to protect thebirds from disturbance and attack by predators exceptthat perches more than 6\1/2\ feet high need not be coveredor roofed. The enclosed area shall be large enough toinsure the birds cannot strike the fence when flying fromthe perch. Protection from excessive sun, wind, andinclement weather shall be provided for each bird.Adequate perches shall be provided.(2) Equipment. The following items shall be in the

possession of the applicant before he can obtain a permitor license:(i) Jesses-At least 1 pair of Alymeri jesses or similar

type constructed of pliable, high-quality leather or suitablesynthetic material to be used when any raptor is flownfree. (Traditional Ivpiece jesses may be used on raptorswhen not being flown.); .(ii) Leashes and swivels-RAt least 1 flexible, weather-

resistant leash and 1 strong swivel of acceptable falconrydesign;(iii) Bath container-RAt least 1 suitable container, 2 to 6

inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, fordrinking and bathing for each raptor;

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of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor;and(v) Weighing device--A reliable scale or balance suitable

for weighing the raptor(s) held and graduated toincrements of not more than \1/2\ ounce (15 gram) shall beprovided.(3) Maintenance. All facilities and equipment shall bekept at or above the preceding standards at aUtimes.(4) Transportation; temporary holding. A raptor may be

transported or held in temporary facilities which shall beprovided with an adequate perch and protected fromextreme temperatures and excessive disturbance, or aperiod not toexceed 30 days.(h) Marking. All peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus),

gyrfalcon Falco ru

novice falconry

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