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An Exciting Adventure at Pacific Northwest Raptors

Editor — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:16:12 +0000

Birds of prey have long captivated the imagination of mankind. These striking yet graceful hunters of the air display some of the most impressive acrobatics and strategies in the animal kingdom. Swooping down on their prey from dizzying heights at incredible speeds with amazing accuracy, raptors continue to awe, thrill and inspire us even after centuries of admiration.

If you have ever wanted to get up close and personal with one of the many different birds of prey that populate our planet, why not make a visit to the Pacific Northwest Raptors visitor centre in Cowichan Valley? The facility is situated only about eight minutes away from Duncan on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and can be easily accessed via the Trans Canada highway.

This magnificent Raptor centre allows visitors the opportunity to get better acquainted with a wide variety of these magnificent predatory birds. A self-guided bird watching tour will enable family and friends to walk through naturally landscaped grounds where they can view hawks, falcons, owls and eagles. If falconry has always appealed to you, you will be able to learn more about this ancient art at the Pacific Northwest Raptors centre. You will also be able to discover how the birds at the centre are trained for things such as free-fly demonstrations, bird control work and movie work. The flight demonstrations that are put on at the centre on a daily basis (weather permitting) are absolutely breathtaking and guests will be able to marvel at the supreme abilities of these magnificent birds as they show off their natural talents. Along with these demonstrations, visitors will be told more about the specific birds and how they live, how they are perfectly adapted to hunting and how they relate to mankind.

The family-orientated center will appeal to virtually any bird lover, and visitors will find that there is almost always something exciting taking place here. The small interpretive center will further educate visitors about these magnificent birds, while the gift shop provides the perfect selection of gifts and mementos for you to take home. For those who just have to have a more personalized birding experience, the Pacific Northwest Raptors center offers hawk-walks and hands-on courses. So get yourself to Pacific Northwest Raptors and make the most of the excellent birding facility!

Falconry Part 2: The Basics

Editor — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:51:03 +0000

Most falconers would agree that the ancient art of falconry requires plenty of patience, perseverance and time. Training birds of prey (raptors) is a lengthy and complex process, but can be extremely rewarding. With the goal of protecting the birds, most countries have strict laws with regard to the capturing and keeping of raptors, requiring that training be done under the supervision of a licensed falconer. When one considers that many important training details vary between species of raptors, individual raptors, as well as to where and when it is best to undertake training, it is clear that consulting a professional falconer is essential for the raptor as well as the would-be falconer.

Although most falconers are of the opinion that there is a bond of mutual trust between themselves and their birds – the bird trusting the falconer to provide food and protection and the falconer trusting the bird to come back when released – raptors are non-affectionate animals that have no ability to accept a submissive or dominant role in a relationship. Birds of prey are both intelligent and opportunistic and have come to realize that the falconer is the easiest and most dependable source of food and protection. So when a raptor obeys commands from a falconer, it is not because the bird is seeking approval, the relationship is purely a matter of convenience for the raptor. The Harris’ Hawk is the only known exception with regard to falconer-raptor relationships and is known to respond affectionately to its owner.

Many falconers recommend starting off with a kestrel (a small species of falcon) because a light weight bird is easier to handle for falconer training. For those who are serious about pursuing falconry as a sport, it is not recommended to start off with a Harris’ Hawk. The reason for this is that these birds will still hunt successfully despite any mistakes that the novice falconer may make, thereby not allowing the novice to develop true falconer skills.

If taking a bird from the wild, the best age is under a year old while in juvenile plumage. It is estimated that between 30 – 70 percent of these birds, known as passage’s, would die within their first year, so capture of a juvenile hawk does not impact on raptor populations. It is strongly suggested that birds that are in adult plumage (haggards) should not be captured. They are more difficult to train for return, and the capture of an adult bird can negatively impact the local pool of viable breeding adults. There are many pros and cons with regard to hand-rearing a fledgling (downy bird that cannot yet fly) and this should only be undertaken by experts.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that falconry is easy and an unusual way of passing the time. However, the relationship between a falconer and his bird cannot be compared to keeping a pet bird. To do justice to the art of falconry requires financial outlay, plenty of time and a deep sustained commitment. Experienced falconers agree that the effort is well worthwhile.

Falconry Part 1: Origins and Applications

Editor — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:53:19 +0000

Falconry is a sport that involves the training of birds of prey to hunt game for their trainers. Although not all birds of prey are falcons, the previous use of the term “hawker” when hawks were used for hunting has come to commonly be used as a term describing traveling traders. For this reason the term “hawker” has fallen into disuse, with “falconer” and “falconry” applying to the sport irrespective of the species of bird used.

It is not entirely clear when and where the sport of falconry started, but the most widely held view is that it began in Central Asia and the Middle East, possibly as long ago as 1000 BC. In the Middle Ages (5th to 15th century) falconry became a status symbol, as it was only the noble classes that could afford the time, money and space necessary to raise and train birds of prey. In Japan, the issue of status went so far as to place restrictions on who was permitted to hunt and which animals could be hunted, all based on rank within the Samurai – the military nobility.

There are several categories of raptor that are suitable for use in falconry. These are grouped into three classes: broadwings (eagles, buzzards and Harris hawks); longwings (falcons); shortwings (accipiters – commonly goshawks and sparrowhawks).

Falconry is currently practiced worldwide, although not always for the original purpose of hunting game. Falconry techniques are used fairly extensively in bird abatement – eradicating birds that pose a threat to human endeavors or profits such as farming, high air traffic areas where birds can cause airplane crashes and from factories that need to be contamination free.

Falconry techniques are invaluable in the field of raptor rehabilitation, where injured or sick birds of prey are nursed back to health with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat. During convalescence a bird’s muscles often atrophy, and falconry techniques are used to exercise the birds in preparation for their release.

If you have the opportunity of attending a display of raptors being put through their paces by a falconer, you are sure to be awe-struck by the abilities of these amazing birds as they soar upwards until they are a speck in the sky and then swoop down at lightning speed to accurately catch a small piece of meat tossed into the air. Then you will understand why many call falconry an art.