5 FACTS FRIDAY: Reasons Why You SHOULDN’T Get a Harris’ Hawk! Falconry Facts

[@IRONHORSE427RACING]

I've been involved in Falconry since a teenager and have raised and had Birds of Prey now for 35 years. I have tried to educate people starting with School Children to value our Birds of Prey and appreciate them for what they are. I try to show them that Falconry is a way of life....you cant just take your birds to a boarding kennel or have just anyone watch over them if you need to leave for any period of time, if you own birds you need to think of them as your family because a properly trained bird thinks of you that way they dont need us but as they build the bond with the Falconer they come to expect certain things, things your "Dabbler" won't have a clue about and they wind up doing more harm than good. Thanks for showing and telling things the way they really are. R.C. Hill

[@ploppysonofploppy6066]

5 good points Dave. Zara's sister is my Hawk (or I'm her human! not worked that one out yet). I waited 3 years between having the mad idea and picking her up. Don't regret that wait one bit. I was sure by then I wanted to do it, and Ive had 7 cracking years with her. She's one of the few things that can put a tear in the eye.🙂

[@The_ZeroLine]

Jaffa: a seedless orange or male. Always love learning something new. I love people like you who are more concerned with making sure dabblers (edit: lol, you later addressed this specifically) don’t get involved and giving proper lessons to the dedicated. BTW, gorgeous public spot, unless you for some reason have oddly large signboards.

[@bobweber4140]

It’s my dream to be a falconer love birds of prey but I know at this time workin a full time job won’t cut it maybe someday

[@infoleathersurgeon698]

I'm glad you wanted to be a falconer and big dreams can come true

[@johnthegodfatherslack]

Amazing video. I've subbed. I currently have a barn owl 🦉, very well looked after and exercised as well as he will, he can be quite lazy, I was contemplating getting a hawk. Much more time and dedication I know, your video has opened my eyes to one or two things. Thank you.

[@sharkeyes]

That whole video was a breath of fresh air

[@lohikarhu734]

Lovely video; it would seem that you rather like and respect old Nigel ;-) Sadly, now that I have been able to learn so much, I don't have the time left to commit to a proper falcon/hawk...we have a Kestrel pair nest in a church about 300 meters from our house, and occasionally see them zooming through t neighbourhood. We also have a few pairs of Kites in our are, often seen perched in trees nearby, or cruising the updrafts along the front of the ridge that we live on. Thanks again for just a nice chat, with some very solid advice embedded herein!

[@TerraHistoria6]

Ooo yeah you can’t beat seeing wild raptors doing their thing!!

[@jamespaterson6550]

Great vid,as someone who has been interested for many years in falconry, done experience days been hunting with Harris hawks etc,I'd love my own bird but sadly living in Scotland, with work and my 4 dogs i would struggle to be able to fly a bird regularly especially during the dark winter months( maybe one day though)i appreciate what you're saying about a long time commitment as i know how much time and exercise my dogs take up.

[@dw2062]

Great video. Reminded me I have got into a bad habit showing food. Going to reverse this (if I can). These are great points. I'd add "Don't get one if you are not prepared to learn that bird as an individual" and "Don't get one if you just want to show off, go on social media and brag". Really lovely videos. Subscribed.

[@gillianandmikebb5116]

Trying to design a logo and was looking for different angles on bird heads. Came for the visuals got hooked on the message!

[@johnwilkes7190]

well put Sir, applicable to so many animals, particularly BOP

[@robinsmith1091]

I like your Falconry approach and techniques, good very appropriate video.

[@RaptorGirlkathy]

Flying beautifully 😍 👌 ❤️ in beautiful country!. A huge responsibility & commitment to give any raptor proper care. Only for the very few. Thank you! 😊

[@Parabueto]

"No falconer likes a creance line". Not a truer phrase has ever been said. They can cause no end of trouble even when you're paying attention. I've been lucky enough to work with two Harris' that have been able to come out of a moult and go free on the first flight after only a day or two of manning. Although they weren't in seclusion aviaries or paired up so they got some interaction during the moult which is a bit of an advantage. All very good points here. Too many people jump in blind. Was five years of volunteering at a local place learning hands on before I bought my bird. ended up being a kestrel, because I know I'm much better suited to house and fly one in the long term than a Harris'. Naturally then just as she was getting scorching hot to the lure Covid happened and threw a real wrench in things. Started again from scratch and just as she's starting to fly well again there's a confirmed bird flu outbreak just down the road and Covid comes back so it's been a pretty bad year all round (not least because one of the aforementioned Harris' had a late moult and I was only just getting him fit to go hunting when bird flu struck so there's no season at all this year).

[@wilfswanderings]

Totally agree, mines coming up to 19yrs old…

[@gary8862]

I’m planning on getting a bird in the future, good tip hiding the food in the glove 👍🏼

[@MyYorkshirehawks]

Loved it. Probably the best ive seen on the right way forward. Cheers.

[@liamgallagher3542]

I would love too but I only live near a park and i work full time so

[@NAVYABHAN]

I like your style of working with your Harris Hawk. I know nothing about the Hobby, but I can tell that you are more considerate of the Haws Natural Needs coupled with your own! 👏

[@andycampsall3832]

This was really helpful. What do falconers do with their falcons when they go on Holiday?

[@ghostrot]

Tru the years i had the chance to work with differand spiecies i still like the harris the most still have my first 2 going on 12 years

[@shannonherb2048]

I had to dig deep and finally decided that falconry wasn't for me. I'll just be happy to spot them and know what bird they are and y'all as well.

[@konglor9180]

Would love to do this got over 200 acres to hunt on

[@adamclarke6344]

So which bird of prey would you recommend more for the flying satisfaction and looking after the bird rather than purely the hunting? Cheers

[@happy11111100]

If you are not going to hunt it full time dont bother getting a bird you did watch the video didnt you

[@lukeponsonby7926]

Pigeon

[@PlayusTheGreat]

For a child (and a beginner) at type of bird of prey should I get?

[@leonp1763]

It only makes sense in a country that actually has wilderness left to enjoy having to ask permission to fly on peoples land means most won't have enough space or food for the sport

[@infoleathersurgeon698]

I am oyintanda and one day I wish I can be a falconer and train my own bird I live in south africa and have a lot of birds in here see you soon

[@hellofditties]

also cow cameo was gold XD

[@hodasalama9510]

I have all weeks and weekends to train a Harris hawk

[@TywysogCraig]

Great video

[@HarrisHawkAcademy]

Very nice video !! SUPER

[@davidmclachlan6592]

It''s such a pity that these magnificent birds of prey are so cheap to buy these days, this encourages people to 'dabble ' at falconry then dispose of the bird when they get bored. When they first introduced as falconry birds in this country thirty odd years ago they cost over a grand to buy one, only people who were committed would get one. Good advice. Thanks for video.

[@harrypancakeribeiro3044]

Absolutely love this guy

[@simongrimwood5942]

Great video, thanks

[@hellofditties]

he's so beautiful 😍 so is your bond!

[@HILUXCHAINSAW]

Can you lose a hawk?. Reason I ask is I have taken the same walk 3 days running and there is a Harris' Hawk that lands on a branch 5-6 feet above my head and calls. I look up and talk to it and it isn't bothered one bit. This is in Somerset.

[@TerraHistoria6]

Can you get a pic and location and I’ll post on relevant pages and see if anyone will come out!

[@HILUXCHAINSAW]

@@TerraHistoria6 It's near Nether Stowey in Somerset. I get back late now so it'll be the weekend if I can take a pic.

[@nicknuydens1960]

You needed 15 minutes to explain the deep lines of falconry. How to fly your bird how to train it. In these 15 minutes you definitely let us see what the heart of a good bond is. Im not from the UK and i can say we are told an other way to train your hawk if we not does it the way we are told we are bad people. If we try your way and yes definitely better we got arguments with other falconers. I can really see the good in the facts except fact number five. My opinion but still its an opinion just like yours, you dont need a huge part of land to fly with your harris hawk. The need for hunting that thrill like you called it can be aranged by lure systems. That can be achieved in a much smaller area. Don't get me wrong the street or the park is not a good place you need a bigger field. Wrong example but a footballfield will do the thing. So fact numer five i just can't stand totaly behind your opinion but i like the way you thinking about that ofcourse. Still nice video surely nice to watch very good education to the point just lovely.

[@EricOWilliam]

This is awesome

[@solidgold3610]

Can you do a video of your mews?

[@TerraHistoria6]

We’ve just made it and posted it for you, we hope it helps!

[@divineknowledge4607]

Seems to me someone's more popular neighbor got a falcon and stole his thunder 😂. I agree with everything he's saying but he saying "DON'T GET" rather than "understand that." Then uses fear using children, people know hawks are aggressive. Did you coin the term dabblers when you seen your neighbors bird 😂.

[@ilax6662]

What is the purpose of putting that bonnet on the birds head?

[@viviannamason4883]

it works to help keep the bird calm (:

[@1babyevey]

this is less on getting a harris hawk and instead of not starting falconry

[@IRONHORSE427RACING]

I believe he is trying to "prevent or Weed out" the dabbler's or people who will go all gung ho putting the cart before the horse and start something they will never finish. Is the point he's trying to make, and it doesn't just apply to Harris Hawks either really any species of Bird of Prey demands so much of you, your time and money that unless your totally committed and have the ability to properly care for a Bird of Prey you should not attempt it. Here you can't even obtain a permit to have a Bird of Prey unless you first have been inspected by a well known licensed Falconer. If your under age you also not only have to demonstrate you have the proper knowledge as well as facilities to house and care for a bird of prey but you also have to have a current licensed Falconer willing to help you if needed before you can obtain a permit.

[@phbirdlovehunting3785]

i love Hari Hawk

[@gertrudewest4535]

I would love to have a harris hawk! My bird can scream and do what she wants.

[@mixiepalms8338]

why do you put a hood on a harris hawk?

[@orphydianwildlife473]

Why is nobody training for hunt and hunts with the hawk most common and equally beautiful Buteo Buteo (Common Buzzard )? They say it's not aggressive enough, it's claws are smaller than those of its American cousin the red tail hawk, it's better for flying demos at falconry shows etc. Still I can't see why a passionate falconer wouldn't try to do that? Do you happen to know somebody or have some vids?

[@TerraHistoria6]

Before the hh was mas produced by breeders the common buzzard was the choice for beginners ( back then captive bred hh were about £1500 and common buzzards £200, thirty years ago) now that hh are £200 due to so many people breeding them they have become the beginners bird and are easier to train than common buzzards and far more versatile and capable hunters . Ironically all the buzzard breeders jumped into the hh breeding bandwagon and these days few breed common buzzards ( don’t forget in the U.K. we can’t wild take ) now if you can find a breeder of buteo buteo they’re £600 upwards ironically . Back in the day a good friend of mine flew one successfully at rabbits but the truth is the time you put into a cb as a proper hunting bird will be far less rewarding than many other species so they’ve fell out of fashion .

[@oldsagerat]

Just my opinion mate, but why the hood ? Bird seems very uncomfortable in it. Most Harris's don't need a hood except for the odd occasion.

[@terrygodfrey5836]

hi Dave I was told many years ago by a gentleman that was a very successful falconer, one bird one man you just cannot dedicate enough time more than one bird efficiently so please don't talk about 5 good reasons why not to own a harries hawk or any bird of prey for that matter you are obviously blest with flying grounds and if you are to train and fly your birds regally I guess you have staff there will always be the few that buy these raptors because they are cheap same as dogs cats horses we can't get away from that i know what goes on in the bird of prey world its either a hobby or a business but remember if there wasn't people purchasing these birds with very little knowledge you could not do a channel telling reasons why not to instead if you should offer free courses to these owners whom i m sure have bought in great faith I don't want this to end on a bad note I think your videos are great and very informative but when it comes to raptors or any animal lets be proactive

[@johnoldfield8246]

try living near a neighbour who owns one does not fly it every day it screams none stop lives in a garden out house has a dog cage as its only viewing place attached to out house old window you would then appreciate some one giving advice as to why you should not get one of these beautiful birds only to take it to the hair dressers and pick your kids up from school and pose he comes home every three to four days and does nothing with this bird at all so why not help people who understand nothing at all about falcons to stay clear and not get one good advice Dave shame some people do not want to pass this advice on to others

[@mydog3627]

Tip number 5, Be rich. Dont be a peasant, have lots of land rich in game. Be absolutely wedged

[@connorarmstad3582]

Why you picking on the Harris' lol? All of those apply to any falconry bird ;)

[@sprk11]

Really? a creance with a spike? shit dude my creance is on piece of pipe with about 2lbs of weight in it. Things go a stray not only does it gently bring him down but also lets out a bit of line to reduce the pressure a bit more. This is part of my research

[@lavenderflowersfall280]

If I were him I'd just keep flying away

[@bigounce941]

Do you need a license to keep a bird of prey?

[@TerraHistoria6]

It depends where you live in the world, in the UK you don’t need to have a license to be a falconer!

[@bigounce941]

Ah thank you mate, I live in the UK should of said Haha but how would you go about having a bird as I've researched that they need papers to show that they are captive bred and legal.

[@TerraHistoria6]

@@bigounce941 If you buy from a reputable breeder, the birds that need paper work will come with it, read as many books on the subject as much as possible because it’s way beyond the remit of these comments to advice on keeping and training bops

[@bigounce941]

Thank you, I will do the research and read the books on everything to do with them and hopefully I'll be fit to keep a falcon one day. :)

[@shyeamalanmanimaran1635]

It's magestic but people got to know are predators. Not easy to handle them

[@handacao9395]

Rule Number 1: Don't get a Harris Hawk, if you haven't have an itchy cow.

[@PhillipPatton1]

Thank you for discouraging pretender's!

[@claymarzobestgoofy]

That cow XD

[@darrenhorvath5702]

gregarious

[@riccardocalzolari903]

Bello

[@ebola8493]

il y a quelqu'un pour traduire...super

[@robinsmith1091]

Thank the USA for your Harris Hawks. FACT #6

[@p.f.886]

nope, thank Southern America, especially Argentina. That's where Harris Hawks are from. Only later they moved north, mostly to Mexico. Only few of them are in the US.

[@robinsmith1091]

p. f. Sounds good to me I haven’t done a Harris Hawks Ancestry Investigation but I appreciate your take and thanks for letting me know their origin, so say you. They are in the Southern US and are not native to Europe at all; that’s all I know. I’m in South Central Texas (San Antonio) and they are quite rare here but not so much in W.Texas or New Mexico and Arizona. Thanks again for the 411

[@p.f.886]

@@robinsmith1091 yeah. I've never said they are from Europe :) Europe has other birds of prey, such as kites, buzzards, and many eagle species compared to the only 2 eagle species of North America.

[@p.f.886]

@@robinsmith1091 however, I have heard of cases of Harris hawks that managed to escape their falconers and survive in Europe. Although so far, luckily, they are just isolated accidents.

[@robinsmith1091]

p. f. That’s interesting, although I’m not surprised actually because they are extremely intelligent raptors. And given that they were trained for falconry which differs from how they hunt in their communal family groups where they work together to flush out prey more often than not, it would seem like they are well equipped to survive on their own. That is always something that must be factored into falconers decision to take on a bird. I’m glad that the birds don’t suffer from absconding, that would be beyond tragic and quite a terrible thing if they were doomed without their falconer.

[@jacygreen9520]

Five reasons why the gang unit isn't resource for you.