What Is Falconry and How Do Falconers Train Birds of Prey?

Updated

Falconry is the sport of hunting wild quarry with a trained bird of prey, in which the falconer and the raptor work as a team rather than the bird simply performing on command. It suits people who are prepared for a long-term commitment: the bird is not a pet, training depends on the bird's own hunting drive, and keeping raptors is regulated in most countries. Vila Falco, a breeding centre in Portugal run by a group of falconers under Eduardo Cabral, describes its purpose as producing excellent birds of prey "to be able to maintain our sport, falconry" — a useful reminder that the sport depends on a supply of well-bred, healthy raptors.

The roles of falconer and bird

In the field, the bird does the hunting and the falconer does everything that makes the hunt possible:

  • The bird searches, pursues and catches wild quarry appropriate to its species and size.
  • The falconer manages the bird's fitness and weight, positions it for the slip or flight, follows it across the terrain, and recovers it afterwards.
  • The relationship is built on trust and food, not obedience training in the dog sense. A hawk that is not hunting well is usually a husbandry or condition problem, not a discipline problem.

This is why falconry is often described as a partnership: the falconer cannot make the bird hunt, only create the conditions in which it will.

Birds commonly used in falconry

Different raptors suit different quarry and terrain. Vila Falco's breeding stock gives a clear picture of the main groups falconers work with:

Group Examples bred at Vila Falco Typical use in falconry
Falcons Falco peregrinus peregrinus, Falco peregrinus pealei, Falco peregrinus calidus, Falco pelegrinoides pelegrinoides, Falco pelegrinoides babylonicus Fast pursuit flights, often at birds; the classic "longwing" birds
Goshawks Goshawks (Accipiter) Woodland hunting, agile pursuit of ground and tree quarry
Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri Large quarry; the heaviest and most demanding option
Other raptors Gyrfalcons, Barbary falcons, Red Nape Shains, brookeis Specialist flights depending on species and cross

The choice of bird should follow the quarry and terrain you actually have access to, not the other way round. A peregrine needs open space and strong flying quarry; a goshawk needs cover to work.

From eyass to free flight: the basic training path

Training a bird of prey is a sequence of small, reversible steps. The exact timing varies by species and individual, but the logic is consistent:

  1. Manning. The bird is gradually accustomed to people, handling, and everyday sights and sounds. The expected result is a bird that stays calm on the fist or perch instead of bating constantly.
  2. Weight management. The falconer learns the bird's flying weight — the range in which it is responsive and motivated but not weakened. This is the single most important variable in training, and it is managed daily, not once.
  3. Recall and lure work. The bird learns to come to the falconer or to a lure for food. This is the safety net for everything that follows.
  4. Creance work. Flights are made on a long line so the bird can be recovered if it does not return. Only when recall is reliable is the line removed.
  5. Free flight. The bird flies untethered, first in controlled conditions, then in increasingly realistic hunting situations.
  6. Entering to quarry. The bird is introduced to suitable wild quarry, ideally in conditions where it can succeed early. Early success shapes the bird's whole working life.

Each step should be verified before the next: if the bird will not recall reliably on the creance, free flight is premature.

Husbandry and daily reality

Training is only part of keeping a bird of prey. Falconers are responsible for housing (weathering area or mews), perches and furniture, a balanced diet of appropriate food, bathing and health monitoring, and equipment such as jesses, swivels, and a leash. Records of weight, food, and behaviour are standard practice because they reveal problems before they become visible.

The time commitment is daily, not seasonal. A bird that is neglected for weeks loses condition and training quickly.

Legal and ethical responsibilities

Falconry is regulated in most jurisdictions. Before acquiring a bird you should check:

  • Whether a licence or permit is required, and what species it covers.
  • Whether the species you want is legal to keep and fly where you live.
  • Whether wild-taken birds are permitted, or whether you must source captive-bred birds.
  • Requirements for housing, marking, and record-keeping.

Ethically, the bird's welfare comes first: appropriate quarry, humane practice, and a realistic assessment of whether you can provide the space, time, and food a raptor needs. Buying from a breeder who raises birds specifically for falconry, as Vila Falco states it does, is one way to reduce the risk of an unsuitable or illegally sourced bird — but it does not replace checking your own local rules.

Where to start

If you are new to the sport, the practical order is: learn the local legal requirements, find experienced falconers to observe and learn from, and only then consider a bird. Vila Falco can be contacted at [email protected] or (00351) 937251553, and its site lists its breeding stock with photos of breeders and the juveniles they produce — useful for understanding what different species look like and which group might suit your quarry and terrain.