How To Train A Falcon?
Falconry is an ancient art. Previously, it consisted of a hunting system with birds of prey, but today it is considered a sport. It involves training a falcon or other birds of prey such as hawks, goshawks or eagles which, in theory, are wild.
The objective is to train these birds so that they can hunt and always return to their owners. Next, we’ll look at some elements to better understand this curious activity and learn how to train a falcon.
how to choose the bird
To choose the falcon to be trained, it is necessary to consider the trainer’s level of experience. If you are an apprentice, you should opt for a red-tailed hawk or a female Borni falcon.
If the trainer is more experienced, you can choose a harris hawk. This species is known for its ease of training, as they are very intelligent birds and very good hunters.
Steps to follow
To train a falcon, the first thing the trainer must do is gain the bird’s trust. The falcon must trust its trainer and, being wild birds, this process can be very slow and difficult. For the first few weeks, it’s a good idea to keep him at home so he can get used to your presence.
Food is the fundamental link between the trainer and the falcon. This is the basis of training and the only stimulus these birds respond to, by instinct. At first, the falcon should be able to jump or fly to its owner’s glove, where it will find some food.
Then the trainer will teach the hawk to fly farther and make it grow strong and develop its musculature. For this, a kite is usually used as a decoy, so the bird goes looking for it. Usually, before starting to fly, a transmitter is placed on your leg to prevent you from getting lost.
Training a falcon: a matter of patience
Falconry, or falconry training, is a sport that requires a great deal of time and constant dedication. First, you will need to take a course or enlist the help of an experienced mentor. Also, it can be helpful to read all the information available about falcons and their training.
It is advisable to know the laws that exist in each area regarding this practice. It may be necessary to have a license to practice falconry.
The training itself requires a lot of patience and perseverance.
It’s not the same as training a dog: it ‘s a wild and suspicious animal, so specific techniques are needed to establish a bond with it. You will have to devote many hours to training and repeating the exercises.
What is needed to train a falcon
The coach has to have enough space, usually a country house or something similar. You must also ensure that health and hygiene conditions are optimal.
It is also necessary that you have some essentials for training. These tools will ensure protection and safety for both the bird and the user.
One of the most important pieces is the hood: a piece made of leather that serves to cover the bird’s eyes and keep it calm.
Another key component is the glove, also made of leather. This serves to make the hawk’s arm more comfortable and at the same time protect the trainer from the bird’s claws.
There is also the “leash”, which are leather bands tied to the falcon’s legs.
They are for the trainer to have control of the animal while it is in the glove or on the perch.
how to get a hawk
In Brazil, currently, the only legal way to have a falcon is to acquire it in a breeding site. If the copy comes from another country, it is necessary to have documents issued by the authorities linked to IBAMA.
The breeding sites must be regularized and also have authorization from Ibama. In addition, according to Globo Rural magazine, “only if they have specific permission from the government agency, a professional in the activity will be able to train birds involving persecution of wild animals.”
Falconry: a controversial activity
Falconry is an activity that is surrounded by a lot of controversy. For some people, it’s a hunting practice that threatens wildlife.
For others, it is an exceptional form of communication that creates a very strong bond between man and these impressive birds.
