Just throwing it out there....falconry?

[wegotchickens]

I've thought about falconry off and on all my life, but as others have said it is quite a commitment. Also, I felt like it was an unfair obligation for a wild animal known for symbolizing freedom. But...

Having just rescued a Red Tail Hawk, I truly believe there is a lot more intelligence there than many people might credit them with. And although solitary except for a mate, they are remarkably companionable. I really felt like she was listening to me when I talked to her, and understanding what I was saying. It was uncanny! And she was so very calm. She loooked me right in the eyes, too. A lot of animals can't handle eye-contact.

So I now believe that maybe, if the handler does their job right, the hawk might view it as an acceptable partnership. But that's what it would have to be; A partnership and not owner-and-animal. And I think if the person invested a lot of quailty time and attention to the partnership it could be very beneficial for the hawk, too. Not just a safe home and steady source of food, but also increased intelligence and a chance to 'play'.

However, I am still not in a position to commit to such a responsibility as much as I'd like to. I think I will settle for doing what I can for the care of injured raptors. I do so love seeing them in the sky, even if its my sky and the chickens are loose...

SpritHawk, I too have watched a Red Tail dismantle a dove. Very cool to watch!

 

[tonini3059]

wegotchickens, that is the same way I feel, that it is so much more than just pet and owner, there is this trust and cooperation. Especially with predators there is much more intelligence to deal with so a deeper connection can be formed and maintained. Like I said it can fly away at anytime yet it does not and actually works for you, that it what impresses me about it. I am with you as well in that I cannot make that commitment right now, I just don't have the time.
As far as the birds in the zoos go, yes they look more like statues, but with falconry you work the birds, at least an hour a day, from what I have been told. As a result they get alot more stimulation and are also allowed to hunt and fly over a wide range, unlike caged birds. And as I have mentioned, if they do not like it they just fly away.

 

[dappertophatter]

See if there's a club in your area. It's LOT of work- are you going to be able to feed them live food? (Yes, I know they don't NEED live food, but I've heard they do better on it.)

I have wanted a raptor, preferably a peregine falcon, ever since I read My Side of the Mountain when I was 13.

However, I know I probably could not ever own any sort of raptor- I can't handle the time commitment right now.

 

[michickenwrangler]

In Kazakhstan, they hunt with golden eagles. It's their national bird. Kazakhstan's flag is sky blue, with a gold eagle and a gold sun. VERY cool flag.

Certain birds hunt different ways. Some hawks will just fly at prey. A falcon will usually soar high then stoop (dive) at 200mph.

Amusing ancedote: I was listening to the radio one day and a guy who trained exotic birds was being interviewed. He and a harpy eagle (4 ft tall, 8 foot wingspan, eat monkeys and sloths) were at a photo shoot when a little old lady walking a toy poodle walked down the street. It took 4 men to restrain the eagle. The trainer commented, "To this day, I don't know eaxctly what the eagle was going after, the little dog or the woman."