Falconry

American kestrel and owner.

We attended a demonstration by generous members of the Oregon Falconers Association, and got to see some incredible birds up close and learn about this ancient hunting practice.  Falconry is at least a 4,000 year old art.  A falconer was there with her American kestrel, which she had trapped and was training.  Licensed falconers are able to trap wild American kestrels and red tailed hawks. She told us that her bird will catch sparrows and starlings, both of which are invasive in Oregon.  Two falconers were there with gyrfalcons, which are the largest of all falcons and magnificent birds. They are used to hunt ducks.  When they are released, the ducks will take cover.  Hunting dogs are used to flush them out, and the gyrfalcons will then hunt the much slower birds in the air.  Their gyrfalcons were captive bred birds.  Training consisted of lifting a quail wing (purchased from a quail farm) high into the air on the string of either a weather balloon or a large kite, releasing the birds, and allowing them to catch the quail wing and return it to their owner.  These birds are fed each and every time they hunt as a reward. After feeding they have no interest in eating for at least another day, so they can only be given a single training exercise every two days at most.  When they are together, they are hooded because they are very territorial and would fight with each other.  The gyrfalcons had two kinds of directional tracking devices on them, a detachable one on their tail feathers, and another on a leg band.  Bells on their legs also help the falconer to find a bird after it is released.

Another falconer was there with a harrier hawk.  He explained that training and hunting with a harrier hawk is completely different.  The harrier hawk is used to hunt rabbits on the ground, rather than hunting birds in the air.  In nature, they often hunt cooperatively, so falconers with harrier hawks are  often able to hunt together.  Harriers also can be rewarded multiple times without completely losing interest.  Hunting with a harrier would mean releasing it and allowing the harrier hawk to follow from treetop to treetop.   The falconer then would proceed through the forest as the hunting dogs flush out rabbits for the harrier to capture.   Training consists of placing the hawk on a perch with a very long tether.  The bird is then given the command to come to the falconer, several times at each practice session.  The distance between the perch and the falconer gradually increases. 

We had no idea how fascinating this sport could be!  While not as efficient as hunting with a gun, it must be a truly  unique experience to hunt with a raptor that you have spent months or years carefully training.  We marveled at the beauty and obvious intelligence of these magnificent birds.

Gyrfalcon with hood.

Ready to fly.

Away we go!

The gyrfalcon approaches a quail wing attached to a weather balloon tether.

Feeding on a captured quail wing.

Grabbing the prize.

Jasper braved the rain to see the falcons.

The harrier hawk.

Leaving the perch.

Returning to its owner.