Birds of Prey — Seeking Wisdom

“Why are they tied up?” asked John. “That is sad, they should be flying around free.”

“Birds hate to fly,” said Stuart the master falconer. “It uses too much energy and they could stay put, or even run 200 yards and expend less.”

That explains why my Dad and two uncles had to send me into the brush to kick up the quail or grouse to encourage them to fly after the dogs pointed them when I was little!

We met Albus, a 13 month old Golden Eagle that weighed 7+ pounds with a 6 foot wingspan and Elsie that weighed 11 pounds and had an 7.5 foot wingspan—these two were a bit big and unwieldy for a rookie. Also, neither of them is quite back into hunting shape after a year and a half holiday living on free range and eating as much as they want. It takes time to “man-up” and get them used to working with a human partner again.

There is a very strict program to determine what the best flying weight is for each bird. We looked at the results for the morning weigh-in of the Harris Hawks and Stuart explained that the closer the bird is to target weight, the better it should fly. Too light, not enough energy. Too heavy…no desire to move (fed up). John was led to believe that he could choose his own bird, but it didn’t work out that way! John picked Heather for his lesson partner, but Stuart said “no—too easy. Predictable AND boring. She will sit there, fly when you tell her and come back, lesson over. He said let’s try Montana, she is a right mess. Hasn’t flown in months, is overweight, and you really don’t know what’s going to happen. It might be something truly beautiful, or it might go horribly wrong! John, you are a stout lad and up to the challenge...and beside, she was born the same year as you.” We think he planned that all along. John put on the glove, left hand, of course, to keep his sword arm free. Stuart brought Montana out and a ruckus ensued—we weren’t sure if she was glad to meet us or telling us off.

Out on the practice range, John got the hang of launching her into flight and recovering her with raw chicken on the glove (yes, mom, hands were washed after). She was testing John a bit as she thrashed about and tried to carry him off a couple of times! Stuart praised John’s fortitude, saying lesser guests would have let go. “Keep a tight fist, and keep her under your thumb, John!”

John was then promoted from trainee to hunstsman, so up went Montana into a tree. She turned on the branch, looked at us, and shook her tail—the hunt is on! We looked for rabbits in the bushes, and Montana would then fly over us into another tree ahead and repeat the ritual, complete with tail shake. We would then walk under, and on ahead. If there were no trees, tennis court fences would do. They prefer a high perch, you know. When enough iterations of the hunt sequence were complete, Stuart pulled the rabbit decoy out of his bag and threw it on the lawn. Montana swooped down with a graceful sort of violence. She covered the kill with her massive wingspan and ate until distracted with more food. To get the rabbit back in the bag and reward her for a hunt well played, he gave her a large portion of a baby chick. So much so, that we were concerned she wouldn’t get the whole thing in. She managed! Stuart believes they will raise Montana’s target weight if they get a few more positive data points like the session with John.

John and Montana bonding before the action starts

Montana returns to John when called...and fed.

Job well done, full payout of incentive compensation, as agreed after catching the rabbit...amazing that she can get that whole bird down.  She will hunt rabbit, fox, small deer, or pigeon. — Job well done, full payout of incentive compensation, as agreed after catching the rabbit...amazing that she can get that whole bird down. She will hunt rabbit, fox, small deer, or pigeon.