Where will these graceful birds live in the future? That is the question that is being answered by The Peregrine Fund. The Peregrine Fund is the World Center For Birds of Prey and its headquarters is located in Boise, Idaho.
What are Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey are hunting birds including:
Eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, ospreys, owls, the secretary bird, buzzards and vultures. Their diet includes other birds, for example ducks, pheasants, game birds, coturnix quail, a variety of rodents, rabbits and other small prey. Some raptors will only capture live prey while others like buzzards and vultures prefer dead prey.
With people taking over more and more of the landscape it is increasingly difficult for these beautiful raptors to live in the wild. The Peregrine Fund was established in 1970 to help conserve and protect birds of prey in nature.
Falconry Training
According to Master Falconer Kate Wilde, a falconer in Idaho, training in falconry requires time, dedication, patience, a trained apprenticeship and taking tests. The Wilde family owns three falcons: a beautiful white Gyrfalcon named Ditto and two Peregrine Falcons - Rogue and Spike - that have been trained for hunting. Rogue is an Anatum Peregrine and Spike is a Tundra Peregrine.
Ditto, the one year old Gyrfalcon, belongs to the physically largest subspecies of Falcons in the world. In the wild Gyrfalcons live in regions that include frigid areas above the Arctic Circle. They are more comfortable in colder climates. In medieval times the Gryfalcon was known as the King's bird; due to the difficulty of obtaining these birds commoners would seldom be able to afford one.
When asked where she flew her birds Kate said "I personally fly my birds over both public and private grounds where I have permission and I feel it is safe. Many things are a factor for their safety such as cars, fences, power lines, even other shot gun hunters that aren't as fond of my birds as I am."
When asked about her equipment that she uses Kate said "Falconry equipment varies from user to user and the type of raptor being used. Beyond the normal hood, glove, leashes, perches and housing, I use radio telemetry so that I can track my birds."
Idaho regulations require that the Apprentice Falconer be sponsored by a Master Falconer for at least the first two years of the apprenticeship and pass a written test with at least 80% including questions about biology, care and handling. The regulations vary from state to state so be sure to check local ordinances before attempting to obtain a hunting bird.
There are three levels of Falconer and the type of bird allowed depends on the level of the practitioner.
- Apprentice - a beginner. Sponsored by a Master Falconer; allowed one bird
- General - after serving the two year apprenticeship and being recommended by the Master Falconer one can apply for a General Falconer's License; they are allowed two birds
- Master - After five years with a General Falconer's License one can apply to become a Master Falconer. A Master Falconer can have three birds and up to three Apprentices.
For people who plan to take up Falconry Hunting remember that even after obtaining a Master Falconer license and proving the ability to care for the birds, Falconers and their birds are closely monitored by the State Department of Fish and Game.
Falconry Equipment
A partial list of equipment for the beginner in falconry includes Gauntlets (Gloves to protect your hands), a mews (a Bird of Prey house), Hoods, Bells, Jesses, Swivels, Weight Scales and Aylmeri Jesses when the bird is flown free.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
