best bird for a beginner

[matty73 4]

let me first start by apologising this is prob the gazillionth time someone has asked this question but what is the best bird to start off with that wont have limitations in its use as i progress in experience as in i dont want to get a bird then have to part with it.im looking for a bird to work rabbit with ferrets would be grateful for advice thanks

[kevo_1 0]

let me first start by apologising this is prob the gazillionth time someone has asked this question but what is the best bird to start off with that wont have limitations in its use as i progress in experience as in i dont want to get a bird then have to part with it.im looking for a bird to work rabbit with ferrets would be grateful for advice thanks

hi if i was you i wound start with male harrishawk

[EskdaleHawks 8]

let me first start by apologising this is prob the gazillionth time someone has asked this question but what is the best bird to start off with that wont have limitations in its use as i progress in experience as in i dont want to get a bird then have to part with it.im looking for a bird to work rabbit with ferrets would be grateful for advice thanks

hi if i was you i wound start with male harrishawk

Male Harris or male red-tail!

Edited June 27, 2009 by Cherrug

[ferret1 6]

I would suggest a male Harris, Redtails can be tempermental for a begginers bird. Harris`s will take rabbits and work over ferrets they will also take other game too.

[EskdaleHawks 8]

I would suggest a male Harris, Redtails can be tempermental for a begginers bird. Harris`s will take rabbits and work over ferrets they will also take other game too.

Yes I agree but the red-tail would make the apprentice falconer work more thus learn more. As we all know Harris's are a very forgiving bird that is why they are so popular and why so many are possibly in the hands of the wrong people???

[matty73 4]

thanks lads i appreciate the advice a local lad told me to start with a barn owl but it didnt seem to make practical sense to me, yes i would gain experience looking after birds of prey but would gradually outgrow the bird as the hunting would be limited (am i right in thinking this ive never seen barn owls hunt anything bigger than mice n voles) but wouldnt want to part with the bird as once i take on an animal good or bad its with me for life havent the room to keep more than one bird so it needs to be bird that can grow with me ive seen harris at shows they are beautiful looking birds can you reccomend a good book to read on subject also why male birds not female i understand the females are larger than males is this something to do with it again i apologise for asking daft questions

[ferret1 6]

You dont get any chances with a barn owl if you get thing wrong with the weight mate and it will be quite easy to unitentionally kill the owl. I have a Barn owl that weighs 13ozs mate and my Female Harris flys at 2lb 3ozs so you can see the difference in weigts. I do agree with Cherrug about the Red Tail it will make you work harder. What ever you decide to with i wish you best of luck and dont be affraid to ask question on here or a local falconer to you. Some people on here might give you some negative replys but stick with not everyone on here will and they are prepared to help. No Questions are daft when you are learning mate. Females can be more aggressive than males. I had a little male harris that flow at 1lb 5oz and he would take fur and feather. What area do you live in

Edited June 28, 2009 by ferret1

[lurchers 2,856]

i would go with a male harris mate they are a nice steady bird and the bird will learn with you as you will with it.good look

[bigryan1 1]

thanks lads i appreciate the advice a local lad told me to start with a barn owl but it didnt seem to make practical sense to me, yes i would gain experience looking after birds of prey but would gradually outgrow the bird as the hunting would be limited (am i right in thinking this ive never seen barn owls hunt anything bigger than mice n voles) but wouldnt want to part with the bird as once i take on an animal good or bad its with me for life havent the room to keep more than one bird so it needs to be bird that can grow with me ive seen harris at shows they are beautiful looking birds can you reccomend a good book to read on subject also why male birds not female i understand the females are larger than males is this something to do with it again i apologise for asking daft questions

ID GO FOR A FEMALE HARRIS MATE IF YOUR ONLY GOING TO KEEP ONE BIRD FOR EVER AND IT WILL LEARN WITH YOU MATE AND THEIR IS A BOOK BY JAMIMA PERRY JONES ITS THE BEST BOOK IV READ ON FOLCONERY MATE

[EskdaleHawks 8]

thanks lads i appreciate the advice a local lad told me to start with a barn owl but it didnt seem to make practical sense to me, yes i would gain experience looking after birds of prey but would gradually outgrow the bird as the hunting would be limited (am i right in thinking this ive never seen barn owls hunt anything bigger than mice n voles) but wouldnt want to part with the bird as once i take on an animal good or bad its with me for life havent the room to keep more than one bird so it needs to be bird that can grow with me ive seen harris at shows they are beautiful looking birds can you reccomend a good book to read on subject also why male birds not female i understand the females are larger than males is this something to do with it again i apologise for asking daft questions

ID GO FOR A FEMALE HARRIS MATE IF YOUR ONLY GOING TO KEEP ONE BIRD FOR EVER AND IT WILL LEARN WITH YOU MATE AND THEIR IS A BOOK BY JAMIMA PERRY JONES ITS THE BEST BOOK IV READ ON FOLCONERY MATE

Sorry I have to disagree! When a female harris gets to breeding age and her tempremnet changes she could become very difficult to handle. No such problems with a male. Males can and will take everything a female can upto but excluding a hare and on the hole you will have more fun with a male harris without the headache of a snotty female. BIGGER is not necessarally better!!!!

[jasper65 6]

Sorry I have to disagree! When a female harris gets to breeding age and her tempremnet changes she could become very difficult to handle. No such problems with a male. Males can and will take everything a female can upto but excluding a hare and on the hole you will have more fun with a male harris without the headache of a snotty female. BIGGER is not necessarally better!!!!

 

alot of people under estimate the males when there is so much sport to be had with males of all species, from a flying point of view its "Big boys little girls" for me everytime, a decent size male Gos or a small female suits my requirments everytime....

 

Jasper

[Falcon Boy 0]

Whatever you do, don't pay any more attention to the idiot that told you to start with a barn owl, they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about!

 

It is important to get a good foot up into falconry as it is too easy to under-estimate the amount you need to know before you are in a position to do justice to a decent hunting bird. This can be achieved by going on a GOOD course, and/or finding a local mentor who knows their stuff and has the time and patience to help you, and/or joining a local falconry club.

 

The first question should really be, 'how do i find out more about falconry' and not 'what bird should i get' as the first question will answer the second, and so much more! Falconry is worth doing properly from the off, for the sake of the bird as much as the falconer. A beginer can take on a harris or red tail and be catching rabbits with it and end up with a cracking bird that gets better and better with the years, but only if they know what they are doing first.

 

I hope that this is all helpfull advice, i just can't help being passionate about the fact that taking on a proper falconry bird is a major committment and shouldn't be thought about any other way. If done properly the rewards are beyond measure.

[matty73 4]

thanks lads great info think ill do some reading and try and find a local falconer with good knowledge of sport as mentor before purchasing a bird thanks again appreciate your help

[EskdaleHawks 8]

Whatever you do, don't pay any more attention to the idiot that told you to start with a barn owl, they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about!

 

It is important to get a good foot up into falconry as it is too easy to under-estimate the amount you need to know before you are in a position to do justice to a decent hunting bird. This can be achieved by going on a GOOD course, and/or finding a local mentor who knows their stuff and has the time and patience to help you, and/or joining a local falconry club.

 

The first question should really be, 'how do i find out more about falconry' and not 'what bird should i get' as the first question will answer the second, and so much more! Falconry is worth doing properly from the off, for the sake of the bird as much as the falconer. A beginer can take on a harris or red tail and be catching rabbits with it and end up with a cracking bird that gets better and better with the years, but only if they know what they are doing first.

 

I hope that this is all helpfull advice, i just can't help being passionate about the fact that taking on a proper falconry bird is a major committment and shouldn't be thought about any other way. If done properly the rewards are beyond measure.

Very well put!

[hawk1 0]

i fly a male red he can be hard work but worth every minute and i just picked picked up a new male harris on sat i missed the fun and the simplicity of flying mh they are amazing to work with as long as you put the effort in you will get it back ten fold........good luck with whatever you decide mate

 

ps . dont get a bloody owl