Falconry: Hunting ducks with Eagles

[@briscocounty2810]

Some ten years ago I was hiking past a small impoundment on ranch property east of Coalville, UT. A pair of mallards flushed off the tiny reservoir and began circling, waiting for me to leave so that they could land again. A few moments later I heard a terrific sound from behind me. It was a female golden. She had put in a stoop on the ducks from some great height. She missed, but the sound of that eagle's massive wings pulling serious Gs was unlike any sound I have ever heard. It wasn't like an exaggerated sound of a falcon pulling up after a miss on a pigeon--it sounded more like a freight train. I was really unable to process it. It was otherworldly. The power of that eagle was magnificent.

[@markmoore4088]

I've heard the sound of a golden eagle stooping described as a piano falling from a great height! Quite a fright if you're not expecting it.

[@wehahngeldenhuys3902]

The African fish eagle often hunts Egyptian geese, which is challenging and very aggressive especially when taken on the ground, but in summer they often taken them.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

That’s incredible!!!! I’ve heard of just how aggressive Egyptian geese can be. Even saw a video of a pair of them that drove a pair of goshawks away from their nest!

[@wehahngeldenhuys3902]

@@benwoodrufffalconry Yes, Our black sparrowhawks are constantly driven from their nest by Gypos (as we refer to them) as these geese breed in any place from buildings to trees, not building their own nest but ousting the nest builders. I have many nest records in this regard and have been well documented.

[@joshdewitt8796]

Out here in the fall, the Bald Eagles often switch their diet to waterfowl, simply because they’re so abundant. They fly low over the fields geese and ducks are feeding in, and separate a slower individual. I normally see them go after geese and larger ducks like mallards, but I’ve seen juveniles go after gulls as well!

[@cyrusknowles8432]

Great video. Good job. It's almost "refreshing" to come across someone on youtube who is knowledgeable on the topic they present and is animated and keeps the viewers attention. I've been interested in falconry for some time but my main passion is fly fishing so I don't have the time necessary to pursue the sport. I do enjoy learning about birds of prey and have always been impressed with what they are capable of. Thanks.

[@georgeblanco436]

Good subject, I saw a ferruginous hawk at nafa that was taking geese regularly from ridiculous long slips. I live in Florida I have seen bald eagles fly down ducks like if they were a falcon. They are much faster than accipiters! I have had my hybrid falcons flown out of the sky by bald eagles! Also I have a brancher RTH that regularly takes ducks and quail . I wrote an article for nafa on how to in hawk chalk of August 2020.

[@markmoore4088]

Were the geese the ferruge took in the air or on the ground? Regardless, sounds like an exciting hunt!

[@4SCHOPRODUCTS]

This is a big part of what we are all about. Really enjoy the info and entertainment!

[@adityavaibhav4941]

Request for video :- 1. Hunting turkey with Ferruginous Hawk 2. Dog breeds for Falconry

[@theheresiarch3740]

I can already tell you the dog breed depends pretty much entirely on the game pursued, but it'll be exactly the same as gun hunting. You just have to train the dog not to interfere with the bird.

[@Sardonic_Cynic]

under the chunky looking wings, the African is a really slender looking bird with a vulture's face, and omg it's pretty

[@lazyenword]

I've been enjoying watching bald eagles ice fishing on my lake this year. There's about 8 of them this past week that sit in a group right on the ice edge on a thawed out channel.

[@brushwolf]

8:54; Impressive! Falconry with a trained hang glider!!! Comedy aside, these videos are always excellent!

[@miguevazquez4794]

I think Bonelli's eagle is the ideal bird of prey for it. Here in Spain it is considered as agile as a goshawk. the intermediate point between goshawk and golden eagle

[@clarencelupo7069]

I've seen bald eagles singularly and in small groups take ducks by wearing them out. The hapless duck has to be in the middle of some big water. When the eagle dives after the duck, the duck dives under water to avoid the hit. After 15 or more minutes of forcing the duck under like this, the duck becomes exhausted and gets taken in a shallow dive.

[@geoffhirschi803]

for clarity, the MBTA protected eagles that US falconers can use are golden, stellers, and white-tailed. Stellers and White-tailed typically only show up occasionally in Alaska, and Alaska would be legally able to allow take. I have seen bald eagles catch ducks many times.

[@NicholasMati]

That was an amazing David Attenborough.

[@birdman5197]

I love videos like this. Not a single falconer (aside from my sponsor very breifly)want to have any hypothetical conversation about falconry. They just want to BOAST about what they have accomplished and crap on others, and exclaim the only good way/reason to do it is their way. I spend hours just day dreaming about how hunting/fishing with osprey(loved that video), doing abatement with big soaring raptors instead of long ranging long wings. I really would love to try hunting harriers and kytes too because they are so fun to watch. I would love hypothetical fantasy conversation about how the targaryens in game of thrones were just paranormal falconers hawking with dragons on battlefields. Know what I mean?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Hopefully we can change the culture. Nothing is more fun that brainstorming and pondering “what if’s” with another falconer. Hopefully we can get more people thinking like this.

[@tiffanycross8838]

we asked a question about breeding red tail hawks the other day and the seventeen people that responded just repeated each other about how it was unnecessary, with not one person even entertaining the thought or offering any useful information.

[@wesleyworley8982]

A few years ago I saw a duck taking off from the Umpqua River, and no more than a few feet off the water a Bald Eagle hit it from behind and carried it off. Incredible sight!

[@MrLMJohnson]

Ben, I'm intregued (and a bit excited) by your comment regarding hunting ducks/geese with a Harris' Hawk. As an aspiring falconer on the east coast of Virginia who wants to hunt duck/geese (and not so much fur), I was beginning to think that my only two options were with a peregrine or N. goshawk. East coasters don't, I believe, have the open space to fly a peregrine and doubtful that I'll ever have the opportunity to get a goshawk (or even a peregrine). Please, tell us more about which birds are suited to hunt mallard-sized ducks and which for the large canada geese here on the east coast. Luckly, Virginia allows us to buy a bird. We aren't restricted to hunting with trapped passage birds. Thanks.

[@joesuffredini9689]

Yes I agree I imported a young pair of African fishing eagles from a breeder in Scotland. I got them for studio work in LA so i haven't tried hunting anything with them .From my experience flying the male he is definitely fast and agile enough for ducks. Look for mountain dew sky talon delivery on KZbin to see them flying

[@davemyers7507]

Coolest video on eagles ever I’m a big eagle fan and I’m a big fan of your KZbin channel thanks for the viewing time today

[@wyomingadventures]

I appreciate all the training you have to do to fly and own birds of prey. It's always monitoring every day in their lives. A lot of dedication owing birds of prey. Much admire Falconeers. My friend was one for years until he got cancer. Loved going out with him on hunts. Wyoming has lots of Goldens. Great birds. My favorite eagle. Great job with eagle comparisons. I love seeing Goldens. I love both eagles. But Goldens are so amazing! I would to a Harpy eagle some day.

[@finngrace8727]

One of my goals in the future is to hunt with a Stellar’s Sea Eagle, and hopefully document that process:) A long ways off for sure, but I’m really looking forward to trying.

[@jasongustafson1824]

The sound a fish makes when caught was funny and philosophical, lol.

[@philipberry6477]

While living in Botswana I took charge of an immature Martial Eagle that had been shot in the wing. On one occasion while stalking wild ducks for its food, a wild Martial came screaming in from behind me and just overhead more like a Peregrine. The ducks scattered and I did not see the outcome, but as Martials are bird hunters I was left thinking it would be wonderful to fly one against game birds if they could be made to wait on. They soar to great heights so what a spectacle that could have been and there can be few more handsome eagles.

[@matsfreedom]

I stumbled on a golden eagle nest in the wilds of Nebraska years ago. The two youngsters were being fed a diet of prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. The nest contained 4 half eaten grouse, all fresh kills. These were late spring grouse, the ultimate quarry for longwingers, yet mother & dad eagle were having no trouble catching them. I'm guessing they were stooping at the grouse as they danced on the leks, hoping to surprise them somehow, but who knows?

[@combinelover8988]

Haliaeetus vocifer! Same genus as bald and Stellar's. Note the ROUNDED neck and upper breast plumage, as opposed to the bald's lanceolate feathers. Agree on the wing shoulder colors matching the Harris' hawks.

[@Pyromancer01]

African Fish Eagle has been added to my list of bucket birds.

[@LaurenMartins]

I don't agree that bald eagles aren't agile. They persue seagulls and catch them.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

This is true. And I mention in this actual video that bald eagles even catch far more agile prey than seagulls, like red winged black birds. My point is not that bald eagles are not agile, my point is that golden eagles and African fish eagles are more agile than bald eagles.

[@karlsteeg4139]

Yes, African Fish eagle is a sight to be hold. Absolute treat to watch. in the wild they will gladly take duck/teals, herons and geese. along with the famous fish

[@lohikarhu734]

That nest at 7:30-ish, with all those different prey... I couldn't see any chicks! That's one successful, and adaptable, eagle! Those African Fish Eagles have absolutely HUGE wing area!! I just watched the BBC video of the AFE catching those birds (I should know the name! Bee eaters?) in flight... it would be very cool to see in full-speed and slow motion, to get a better idea of the action... but, they do get that prey!

[@ShepherdTheHawkFanatic]

Hey Ben! I know this video is a few years old, but if you still are thinking about working with African Fish eagles, I go to a bird sanctuary that has a breeding pair! They just laid a clutch of about 3, and they usually give the eggs to other organizations or education programs (at least thats what Ive heard). Maybe you can get in touch with them? Theyre called Sylvan Heights, North Carolina. Its a little far from Utah, but if you still wanna try hunting duck with African Fish eagles, I suggest you get in touch with them. I certainly dont know a whole lot about how they work, but maybe you can get your eagle :)

[@BeneathTheGold]

I must say that David Attenborough impression was spot on.😂

[@junchan_3200]

I had seen harris hawk hunting deer in Europe. It was mind blowing

[@georgeblanco436]

I live in Florida and our eagles regularly fly down ducks , gulls , ibis and egrets. A bald eagle will out fly a hybrid falcon out of the sky I have witnessed it several times. Large raptors are usually much faster than we imagine .

[@6cls727]

youre a true inspiration Ben 🙏🏽

[@AustinActive]

Great Video's. I'm in Austin Texas on Lake Travis. Last couple years we have bald Eagles taking ducks off the shoreline in close proximity to Osprey's dragging catfish up on the beach that are too large to carry, Lol. The ducks are getting smarter now. They huddle in a pack next to my boat dock when they see the eagle. When the eagle stoops, the ducks go underwater, rinse and repeat. Amazing to see the size of a bald eagle on our inland lake. Their relative scale to everything else is massive. Seems like they take a few wingbeats and there already a 1000' feet up. Amazing to watch.

[@stephenohara3014]

How about the Bonelli's Eagle?

[@johnstwistedego1]

This is EXACTLY the subject I was hoping to hear about. What are the possibilities? What species are with branching out with and for what quarry? Hey Ben, would love to hear more about using a Harris’s hawk to hunt Canada geese! That seems to be rare info. (What are your thoughts about the ethics of this?

[@alkonost8459]

Have you considered White-tailed sea eagle? They're easily seen to hunt migrating water birds on ponds and lakes here. Most of people train them to showoff sadly...

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

That would be a fun bird to try. They are close cousins of Bald eagles. We technically can legally fly them here in the USA if they are captive bred, but I don’t know anyone breeding them here. I bet they would be a blast though!

[@Toothandtalon]

what you did your first year with a hh was also my my season with my hh. we probably hunted in the same areas

[@taharsadok4330]

This is amazing hobby

[@ethansmith2942]

There’s a pair of bald eagles where I live that I have watched catch seagulls together, one would chase after them over the water while the other would fly above to keep the seagulls lower and closer to the water (at least that’s my guess as to why it was above them) I’ve heard of eagles cooperatively hunting but it was cool to see it myself

[@czserad]

Hey ben, great video! I’m curious, how do some people use bald eagles for falconry? I know it’s illegal to catch eagles so how do people get them?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

In other countries other that the USA bald eagles are legal and have been captive bred for years. Not sure how or when the original breeding stock were acquired, but they are actually a very available captive bred species outside the US

[@czserad]

@@benwoodrufffalconry awesome! Thanks. Do you think they will ever become available in the foreseeable future for us in the States?

[@rodrigoalejandrosuarez6540]

Would love to send you pictures of our past weekend in falconry with 2 harris hawks vs Ducks (Anas diazi)

[@jonahmcbride934]

I have come accross falconers in the states who have trained a Tawny Eagle and Black Eagle respectively.

[@chuckr1951]

Bald Eagles catch all kinds of waterfowl from ducks, geese, coots, herons, gulls. On my wall I have a Rob Palmer photo collage of a Bald Eagle plucking a starling out of the air. My friend had a Bald Eagle easily fly down his tiercel Peregrine, nearly snatching him out of the air. They are quite capable and definitely not slow.

[@theheresiarch3740]

What do you think is the ultimate general waterfowling bird against both ducks and geese? I was thinking something like a large female Peregrine or Gyr x Peregrine would be able to decisively take them to the ground from a stoop.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

As a general answer the safest bet would be a gyrXperegrine. But a properly trained good spirited female gyr is unstoppable. But if geese are going to just be the occasional hunt I would go with a big female peales.

[@peregrinesmith1117]

Flying ducks this year in the US highly risky, a large percentage of them have Avian flu, which is deadly to raptors.

[@raphlvlogs271]

are sea eagles and ospreys closely related considering that they share similar morphology habitat and preferred prey?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

They are not closely related. Just convergent evolution at work.

[@ezselhenry8303]

Nice video! Are Bald eagles capable of catching land animals like rabbits or foxes and could they be trained to do this.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Yes, both in the wild and in falconry. In Utah, we have a lot of winter migratory, bald eagles. And they hunt a lot of rabbits. And I’ve talked to Canadian falconers who have said they have hunted rabbits with bald eagles.

[@RaptorGirlkathy]

Wow, your videos are always so interesting!! Thank you, Ben, for your knowledge, thoughts and ideas! That CG story, the way you told it, was so funny 🤣 Turkey/Badger/radio-collared Foxes, in the GE nest--wow! 😂David Attenborough ...so true! I do not hunt with raptors, but, I have found your species insights extremely helpful, in assisting me to understand, train & care for them better, in a sanctuary setting. 😉😊🥰

[@lukegerlach9904]

That David Attenborough impersonation was hilarious

[@BeneathTheGold]

Ben what species is that drinking from the green bowl in the intro?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

African black sparrowhawk

[@cordycepted4911]

Nice vid! Any thoughts on northern hawk owls?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

I have not flown one. But years ago talked to falconers in Canada who had reported them to actually be very suitable for falconry compared to other owls. They reported that they think more like a hawk than an owl, have a fast pursuit response, and were very agile. I think they would be a fantastic species to try.

[@combinelover8988]

As small as they are, western meadowlarks are nowhere near as agile as the crested flycatcher/kingbird. Gulls are easier to catch, than one would think, as are the ravens which all too often, just get into the faces of raptors. The flycatcher is still the most amazing catch. Turkeys are not fast flyers, and run slower than hares.

[@kristensorensen2219]

#63👍👏👏🤔Love raptor and your channel!! I would love to learn more and interact with a mentor. I'm 66 and a retired professional pilot so love flying too. Thanks!!

[@ethanovenell2173]

Wow I never knew that about African fish eagles. I’ve heard them several times by the river but never seen one.

[@robertfaucher3750]

It was my dream to one day fly a Stellars Sea Eagle. Now I'm overly fascinated with kestrel

[@raphlvlogs271]

the first time I saw an African fish eagle I noticed that they look very similar to the Indian Brahmini Kite

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

You are right. They absolutely do. I have read before that kites and sea eagles are actually extremely closely related. Seems likely, but I need to dig deeper into what research has been done.

[@taharsadok4330]

How I can be a falconer

[@davidtornu9772]

Can I get your contact 25:27 I have a hawk

[@johnf1296]

❤

[@tedhill3436]

Ben..have 5k hours in hang gliders..been soaring with Goldens @ 16k...would love to get some soaring vids while power off in an ultralight...the photos and vids would be epic...Call Me

[@yvonnerogers6429]

😎

[@jernall683]

I hate eagles, so do my falcons.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Lol can’t blame you there. I had my gyr killed by a golden earlier this year. And I have also had two of my eagles illegally shot by people while being flown. Seems nothing is impervious to all dangers.

[@carlobrigante4764]

Another awesome informative video. Thanks Ben!! Can you a video on owls?!

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

I did this one a while back. Good info but not the best production values. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWnPgZaYaN9rfpo And this one is specifically on hunting with micro owls: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmHQmZqZiN6JY6s But I can definitely do some new owl videos in coming months. And definitely watch this one for good owl equipment! Another old one, but important stuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWa5hGygjriMh5I

[@carlobrigante4764]

@benwoodrufffalconry hey thanks for the reply, I've seen all those videos, multiple times lol. Looking forward to any videos you put out. Knowledge is power!!! Thanks again.

[@SocraticMethodGuy]

your thumbnail is clickbait... don't do that bruh...