The FERRUGINOUS HAWK

Ferruginous Hawk flying near Cambria, San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. - (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The male ferruginous hawk is quite large; however, the female is a bit larger. Ferruginous hawks have rusty colored feathers on their wings and their legging feathers. Most live in the western Great Basin and Great Plains. They are excellent fliers that know how to soar in the sky for a long time. 

Ferruginous hawks also stay in uncultivated pastures on prairies and grasses in western North America, however, they spend most their time in arid and semiarid grassland regions. Ferruginous hawks avoid high elevations, forest interiors and places like narrow canyons and cliff areas.

During 1900, ferruginous hawks nested through south and central Alberta, but in 1980, the ferruginous hawk was designated threatened. Today it is still designated vulnerable by the Endangered Wildlife in Canada and the population has declined in most areas in the US except California. The main reason for their endangerment is the disappearance of native short grass that hawks use for hunting.

Ferruginous hawks like to hunt gophers, however, hawks in Alberta eats mice and white-jack rabbits. Hunting generally occurs in the early morning and the late afternoon. They can attack from short distances and strike prey on the ground, use aerial hunting from about 300 feet, or just fly after prey from a perch. They do not hunt very well on croplands because their large wings and size prevent them from effective maneuver among grains on the ground.

Hawks build their nest in trees including cottonwoods, willows and swamp oaks along the waterways. which occurs in mid-March in Colorado and Kansas but they will nest on the ground if necessary. The male hawk collects most of the material such as grass, twigs, old bones and crow or horse dung, while the female arranges it into a nest, which they use year after year. They lay their eggs between February and July and their nest usually contains three or four white eggs.

By Michael Russell - Article Source: EzineArticles

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OWLS in FALCONRY Today

Gauntlet Bird of Prey Centre, near Knutsford Closest I've ever been to a barn owl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article will present the common uses of owls in falconry today. There are about two hundred species of owls today which can be found throughout most of the world. One of the best-known species, the barn owl, is also one of the most widespread and in most areas kill more rodents than any other predator.

Falconry and hawking were very common activities in most of the world until recently, being used for both sport and obtaining food. In Europe, the goshawk was known as the "cooks hawk" because it could catch so many things for the table including rabbit, hare, pheasant, partridge, pigeon, grouse etc. Gyrfalcons were prized as the most fitting bird for an Emperor, a peregrine for a king, a merlin (because of its small size) for a lady. Eagles were used to hunt wolves in Siberia, Saker falcons to hunt gazelle in the Arabian deserts. The Saker would catch the gazelle and slow it enough for a Saluki (a desert dog breed) to kill it. Falconry was a hugely popular sport with nobility and a vital activity for ordinary people.

The most common use of owls in falconry currently is in falconry displays for the public. Barn owls are always hugely popular birds with their gentle, beautiful flight and lovable nature. Barn owls are also common in most areas and relatively easy to care for making them an ideal candidate for falconry shows. They are also one of the most suitable birds of prey to be used for giving audience members the experience of holding a bird of prey on their fist. The beautiful slow flight of a barn owl gives the audience much more chance to see a bird of prey up close while flying than the fast flight of a falcon which might only be in view for a few seconds as it zooms by.

By Thomas Goldman - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Visiting a FALCONRY CENTRE

A Harpy Eagle in falconry. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Different people like to spend their leisure time in different ways. When you get to take some time off your regular schedule, you plan to spend it in the most memorable and enjoyable way. While some like to party, some others like to spend their time with nature. If you are looking forward to spending a peaceful and beautiful vacation, then you can consider visiting a well-maintained falconry centre. If you have a love for animals and nature, then this place can be surely engaging and enjoyable for you. Falconry is the art of training falcons to hunt and return.

When you switch on to the wildlife channels, you get to know about the survival and existence of various kinds of animals and birds in the world. But not many people can think of actually experiencing this adventure in person. Today, there are several companies which give you a chance to have the experience of visiting such bio-diversity centres and have a close encounter with nature and wildlife. If you are looking for some exciting activities in Cumbria, then do not forget to check out the predator experience. Basically a restricted falconry centre, it is sure to leave you with wonderful and memorable experiences with raptors and owls.

Situated in the Lake District National Park, this falconry centre has amazing activities which are truly worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime. The main motto of the centre is to protect the biodiversity within the natural world. However, they are not open to all the casual visitors. You need to make your booking in advance to visit this falconry centre. You will be amazed to know the activities offered by this centre. You can browse through their site to know the availability of various activities, the prices they charge per visitor and to get other such details. Visiting this falconry centre will be definitely an inspiring and peaceful experience for you.

If you have a love for birds like eagles and owls, then you sure have to visit this falconry centre. 'Eagle experiences' is one such activity where you are allowed to spend quality time with various species of eagles and owls under the guidance of professional trainers. This can be the ultimate experience with most of the endangered eagle and owl species. However, children below the age of eighteen are restricted to participate in this activity. You can indulge in a full day activity or you can make your booking as an observer. The charges depend on your bookings at the falconry centre.

If you are looking for activities for your entire family, you can go for hawk walks. This is the best way to experience the stunning countryside and woodlands of Lake District National Park. It is suitable for all the members of your family. The amount of money they charge depends on the amount of time you want to spend. You can visit their site to know about more falconry activities and the charges. So, go ahead and make your bookings to spend some quality time.

By Surya Kiran Ganti The author writes about the engrossing features of falconry and the peace one gets out of it. Article Source: EzineArticles

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FALCONRY History

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A History of FALCONRY

Medieval people engaging in falconry on horseback. The horses appear to have the body type of palfreys or jennets. from the Codex Manesse. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Falconry is training birds of prey to hunt game. Falconry is also known as hawking, despite the fact that in falconry today buzzards are usually used.

It is thought that falconry was established in the Middle East by 2000 BC although the earliest evidence of falconry has only been found from about 700 BC.

There are references to Caesar using falcons to kill pigeons so we know that the Romans practiced falconry and it was most likely introduced to Europe in about 400 AD.

Falconry is known as the sport of kings and many Kings of England have proclaimed it their favorite sport including Alfred the Great and George III.

Much has been written about King John and crane hawking. He used to bring hunting parties to fly falcons at herons which were ringed prior to being released back into the wild. Information about these herons can be found in the Domesday Book.

During the Middle Ages laborers would also participate in falconry, usually illegally and King John banned people from taking a game from the Royal Forests in order to improve the game caught by his own hunting parties.

He made a law that a hundred peasants should be fed with the catch from every Royal hunt but the law would still have caused much suffering.

A custom in the Middle Ages known as the Laws of Ownership meant that birds of prey were all assigned a rank and nobody could hunt with a bird that had a higher rank than him. The original Laws of Ownership was written in the Book Of St Albans in the 15th century.

Nowadays anyone can practice falconry in the UK and no license is required although only captive-bred birds can be used. Despite pressure to have falconry banned it has been allowed to carry on albeit with a number of conditions attached to it. Birds must be ringed and government registered and DNA tested to certify their origins and wild birds may not be used for falconry

By Anna Price If you would like to learn more about falconry then you may be interested in birds of prey day where you can try out the sport. This article was written by the author of British Bird Lovers. The author is a keen gardener and amateur bird watcher. Article Source: EzineArticles

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