Visit the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Established in 2006, the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary in South Africa cares for more than 180 birds representing 50 different raptor species. The sanctuary’s permanent residents have either been bred in captivity, or have sustained injuries which significantly limit their chances of survival in the wild.

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Bird Species F-J Florida Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) Gadwall (Anas strepera) Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Gray Hawk (Asturina nitida) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus rubber) Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) Green Parakeet (Aratinga holochlora) Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) Herald Petrel (Pterodroma arminjoniana) Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) House [...]

Gray Hawk (Asturina nitida)

The Gray Hawk (Asturina nitida) is a small raptor that is 15 inches in length and has a wingspan of 35 inches. It is predominantly gray in color, with its throat and belly being white with barred gray coloring. Its upper tail coverts are white and it has very pale colored plumage under its wings. [...]

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

The Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is the only harrier amongst North America’s hawks. Also known as the Marsh Hawk, the Northern Harrier is an exceptional hunter. Nothern Harriers are popular with farmers as pest killers and are no threat to their own animal stocks. These remarkable birds of prey have also featured in superstition. In [...]

The National Birds of Prey Center in Gloucestershire

The National Birds of Prey Center, located near Newent in Gloucestershire, is one of Britain’s premiere attractions and one of the top birds of prey centers in the United Kingdom. It is home to roughly 170 different birds of prey, including 22 species of eagles, falcons and hawks – a real treat for any bird lover or falconer.

Birding in the Remarkable Florida Everglades

The moment the word “Everglades” is spoken, many people imagine the dark waters of a marshland filled with alligators. However, even though alligators are at home in the Florida Everglades, it is the bird species that steal the spotlight from these illusive predators. Birding in the Florida Everglades has become a popular activity, and while silently waiting for a bird to appear visitors also get the chance to meet some of the other fascinating animals that have carved out their own existence in the Florida Everglades.

Birding in Madera Canyon, Arizona

The beautiful Madera Canyon, located in the Santa Rita Mountain Range in southern Arizona, is considered by many to be a bird-watcher’s paradise. The terrain on the approach to Madera Canyon is grasslands, which gives way to mountain forest. The area is renowned for its abundance of bird species and the relatively easy access to watch and photograph birds that are generally not seen elsewhere.

Falconry Part 2: The Basics

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.

Falconry Part 1: Origins and Applications

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.

A Closer Look at the Intriguing Galapagos Hawk

The Galapagos hawk is found exclusively in the Galapagos Islands. The adult Galapagos hawk is almost completely different shades of brown and the female is larger than the male with an average size of 56 cm in length. It is one of the few terrestrial predators on the islands and has no natural enemies.

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