What is this bird doing swimming?
What is this bird doing carrying a duck?
This is the bird falcon. Training birds of prey is a popular activity throughout the world. Many people even train these birds to hunt or retrieve prey for them.
While sizes vary across species, falcons are generally medium-sized birds, with lengths ranging from 12 to 20 inches and wingspans spanning from 2 to 4 feet. They have sleek bodies, sharp beaks, and powerful talons that enable them to swiftly capture their prey.
Falconry, also known as hawking, is a sport that involves training and flying birds of prey to hunt small game. The use of falcons in falconry has been practiced by humans for centuries, dating back to ancient times.
Training a falcon is an lengthy process that requires patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the bird’s behavior. Falconers, skilled individuals who train and fly falcons, build a strong bond of trust and mutual respect with their feathered companions.
Falcons are typically raised from a young age in captivity to ensure a successful bond between falconer and bird. Falconers use a variety of training techniques, including positive reinforcement and reward-based systems. Once a falcon is adequately trained, the falconer and bird form a hunting partnership. Falcons are flown from the falconer’s gloved hand and pursue their prey with astonishing speed and precision. The falconer aids in the hunt by flushing game and providing support as needed.
That’s some pretty cool stuff, your own trained assassin.
This falcon is seen in action, dragging a duck back to shore for its hunter. Swimming through the water clutching onto the bird,
Incredible.
