HOW to CAST a Red Tail using a CASTING JACKET!

Just how much fun is it to juggle a Red Tail buzzard into a casting-jacket?
Today's episode deals with the safest technique for casting a larger raptor for either coping, or changing furniture - and you'll meet Brian in the bargain!
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Music licensed through Soundstripe.
*************
"Team Feathers" approved gear!
Falconry Gear and Equipment:
www.westwealdf...
Marshall Radio GPS Tracking System:
marshallradio....
Best Falconry Glove/Gauntlets EVER:
stanislavsfalc...
***
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Links:
The Art of Falconry, by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen
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A Glancing overview of Falconry (via PBS):
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Your guide is Journeyman Falconer Joanne Bentley, a practitioner with over 15 years experience in the handling and schooling of birds-of-prey, and her support-team of assistants including Joseph Norris, Andrew & Megan Lemon, Chris Wright, and Bruce Lane.
With light-hearted humour and a gentle, informational approach, Jo will guide you in understanding the techniques of “winning” one’s Feathered-companion - first in earning their willingness to work with us, then - in our case - to work for the eye of the camera.
Jo's desire is to inspire established and new participants, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, and the wider public. This passionate Journeyman Falconer seeks to inform and introduce humanity to the intangible “living human-heritage” (UNESCO 2010) to which every one of us may lay claim through the Art of Falconry.
Thank you for watching!
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All filming & business inquiries: [e-mail]

[@diana-fr7ob]

This is a great and informative video! I’m curious, do you have any opinions on coping a beak with a hand file vs. an electric drimmel tool for filing? I know the drimmel rattles their skull but surely it’s a shorter discomfort than sitting patiently while being filed. Second question - what are your opinions on coping hooded vs. unhooded? Thanks so much for this video, it was great to watch!

[@TheFalconLady]

Hi Sierra, he's got some great questions there! Jo uses hand tools exclusively due to the reason that she can take her time and expertly shape the birds into the exact shape that she wants. She's mentioned before, but using a Dremel has a higher degree of risk associated with it - one wrong move from the bird or us and it could turn out very badly. Like you mention in your comment, they do sit pretty patiently because they understand what's going on and afterwards they feel so so so much better. Some of team feathers are more tolerant of this process than others, Scirocco is pretty noisy but Halo is pretty calm about it. For your second question about hooded vs. nnhooded, in my personal experience having the birds unhooded is way more of a calm experience than hooded. We used to cope the birds hooded, but they really didn't understand what was going on as well as they do now. They would start to panic and start to heat up. I would have to say that the method that we use now is so much more calm and less stressful than before. Thank you very much for watching and supporting! We look forward to hearing from you again soon :) -Leah

[@TheFalconLady]

Good morning Sierra; Thank you for your awesome questions - I'll do my best to give you well-rounded answers. Dremel tools are fabulous - in experienced hands. The reality is, unless you purchase a veterinary-grade Dremel tool, (which are more expensive - and *_considerably_* quieter than most models you'll find at a hardware store), these devices generate tremendous noise which, of course, your Feathered-one cannot understand, and will (owing to their natural reflexes) be frightened of. Given they're all ready being asked to endure a great deal in being cast-up, exposing them to the avian equivalent of a dentist's drill seems to me unfair. My mentor at the ICBP (Jemima Parry-Jones' raptor centre), Mark Palmer, demonstrated the use of a Dremel-tool in coping whilst I was there taking my LANTRA certification. To say Mark is an artist with one of these devices would be an understatement; he made the whole coping affair a quick, simple, and short-term experience for the Harris hawks he was working on that day, and it was amazing to watch. ...He also admitted he'd done hundreds, if not thousands, of beaks using the Dremel by the time I was seeing him demonstrate the technique... Mark was quite clear a Dremel in inexperienced hands could do _incredible_ harm in the blink of an eye - they were not something to "try out" on a living raptor if one had little or no background ever using one, or being _thoroughly_ mentored in how to make the most of such a tool. So... Unless you're running a raptor centre with many, many birds - and have experienced, steady helpers who are great at casting, there's really little justification in risking the coping to an electric drum-sander (albeit a very _small_ one). Filing with diamond-dust encrusted files allows you to be precise and thoughtful; you'll accomplish a great deal with a modest amount of effort - and you can't buzz a dent into their beak before you've had time to react. Files doubtless feel bizarre to our Feathered companions when they're being coped, and they likewise don't "like" the process, or understand we' mean for them to feel much more comfortable, (which of course they *do* - once you're all done). I personally admire the skill and adeptness in using a Dremel, but prefer the files because you can take...your...time. Remember: with coping files you're able to take precise, tiny steps (say when correcting improper beak-growth, or dealing with a flake which has begun to shatter away from the side of the outer/upper beak). A Dremel tool can quickly take away more than you intended-to...and you can't put it back once that's done. Coping with your Feathered-one unhooded allows them to "see what's coming" in much the same way one feels "better" being able to see what your dentist is doing. Imagine going for a dental-exam/cavity-filling, and being blindfolded throughout the procedure - and no one is telling you what they're about to do next to boot! In the same way, your hawk, falcon, eagle, or owl - while *not* enjoying the coping process, can at least see what's going on, and - eventually - build up a tolerance for the whole undertaking, (speaking from experience, they *do* get better at putting up with the process over time, particularly if you're speaking to them in a quiet, reassuring manner, and taking pains to be as efficient as possible). Having been originally taught to hood the bird, constrain it in a belly-down cast and THEN cope them - and seeing how frightened and exhausted they were afterwards, I'll never go back to enlisting that procedure. It was far too traumatizing, stressful, and degrading for the bird in question. Coping whilst they're _unhooded_ allows them to mentally deal with the experience, and they quickly shake it off (quite literally) almost immediately once they're out of the casting-jacket, (you'll see them rouse mightily, then test out the new "feel" in their beak straight away...a little spritz of cool water at this point is also usually well-received). I hope you feel this answers your questions, Sierra - thanks again for the conversation. :0) Best, Jo

[@yeswing10]

Wow, you're so sensible and gentle. Great teacher for Leah.

[@TheFalconLady]

Yes! Jo is such an amazing teacher :) -Leah

[@richardjones4080]

its really strange hearing a bird of prey sounding like a feathered one far smaller ie a garden species so to speak Mo is absolutely spectacular

[@TheFalconLady]

Definitely! Mo's personality changes from a scary dragon to a little tiny mouse so quickly. He is trying to say, 'please don't hurt me!', but of course we never would. Have a wonderful day, Richard! It's always fantastic to hear from you! :) - Leah

[@jantirpak7902]

Good evening, ladies, I just watched this video. You explain well how to proceed and why. Well thank you. I wish you nice next week.

[@TheFalconLady]

Good afternoon, Ján! Thank you very much for spending a part of the afternoon with us and enjoying our episode! Please let us know if you have any suggestions for future episodes, we love hearing from you. Have a wonderful day :) - Leah

[@jantirpak7902]

@@TheFalconLady Dobré ráno dámy. V jednom video vysvetľujete ako ošetriť poranenia, prosím vysvetlite ako zistiť zdravotné problémy u dravca, ( vec v zobákovej dutine, vec v hrvoli, parazity na perí, parazity v traviacej sústave, diftéria, WNV, otrava teflonom). Ako liečiť a návšteva veterinára.

[@jantirpak7902]

@@TheFalconLady Alebo vysvetlite výživu. Ja krmím 20% jednodňové kohútiky 20% roudkill( jackrabit a phasian), 10% straky a vrany, 50% poštové holuby. Poštové holuby od chovateľov ktorí pretekajú, ja ich tiež chovám a aj pretekám (sú pestro krmené a liečené proti trichomoniaze). Nič nepoužívam ako dlhodobú monodietu. U jackrabit dávam aj hlavu ( je dobrá na skrátenie zobáku). Preto upravujem zobák iba 1 krát ročne. Ak potrebujem podporiť rast zobáku a pazúrov ( po poranení) tak používam krky z hydiny. Pri mainingu dravec dostáva chrbát z holuba (holubacie mäso milujú najviac zo všetkých druhov) dlho mu trvá jedlo, lebo ho oberá z kostí a tak dobrí pocit na ruke trvá dlhšie a dravec si sokoliara spojí s príjemným krmením. Všetky dravce sú naučemé jesť mäso nasekané na kúsky z misky v troche vody, ale bežne ich tak nekrmím. (v lete ak potrebujem niekedy dodať vodu a nie ej to možné inak tak to využívam). Žiadna metoda krmenia, alebo druh mäsa nieje iba dobrý alebo zlý. Všetko má vyhody aj nevýhody, len musíme vedieť ako a kedy to využiť. Nepoužívam myši a potkany (veľa čriev), ale ako krmivo je to možné,, určite nie ako monodieta. V prípade nutnosti je možné krátkodobo použiť aj hovädzie mäso, ale nie je najvhodnejšie lebo dravce kravy nelovia. Ja ho nepoužívam, ale je dobre vedieť, že dá sa použiť v prípade nutnosti.

[@jantirpak7902]

@@TheFalconLady Good morning, ladies. In one video you explain how to treat injuries, please explain how to detect health problems in a predator (thing in the beak cavity, thing in the prick, parasites on the feathers, parasites in the digestive system, diphtheria, WNV, teflon poisoning). How to treat and visit a vet.

[@jantirpak7902]

@@TheFalconLady Or explain nutrition. I feed 20% one-day taps 20% roudkill (jackrabit and phasian), 10% magpies and crows, 50% pigeons. Postal pigeons from breeders who are racing, I also breed and race (they are fed and treated against trichomoniaze). I don't use anything as a long-term monodiet. The jackrabit I give the head (is good to shorten the beak). That's why I edit my beak only once a year. If I need to support beak and claw growth (after injury) I use poultry necks. In maining, a predator gets a back from a pigeon (pigeon meat loves most of all species) it takes him a long time because he takes it from his bones and so good feeling on his hand lasts longer and the predator connects the falconer with a pleasant feeding. All predators are learning to eat meat chopped into pieces from a bowl in a little water, but I normally don't feed them. (in the summer if I ever need to supply water and it's not possible otherwise I use it). No method of feeding or meat is just good or bad. Everything has advantages and disadvantages, we just need to know how and when to use it. I do not use mice and rats (many intestines), but as feed as possible, certainly not as a monodiet. If necessary, beef can also be used for a short period of time, but it is not best because the predators do not hunt cows. I do not use it, but it is good to know that it can be used if necessary.

[@pakfloormaintenance.6428]

Good information

[@brigainer2108]

All the red-tailed hawks I cope are dead set on footing me and biting everything they can reach...Nice to see that hawks with good manners do exist.

[@TheFalconLady]

Good evening Bri; Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback and observations; 'Mohave' has always behaved this way in the cast, as did my previous Red Tail, 'Thorn'. Its as if the moment they realized they were swaddled up (like a baby), there really wasn't any other option available, to _either_ of them, but to conduct themselves like a little gentleman - enter the "peepedy-peededy" sounds. 😉 I've also worked with RTs with poor manners - its never an "artistically satisfying" experience being caught by talons like those! Among the things I've found which help foster this aspect of the relationship, (that is, getting them into a head-space where they don't reflexively "go" for you while they're cast), is the use of the casting-jacket, encouraging and speaking to them with kindness and empathy, taking care to always protect the soft-tissues of their mouth, and being as efficient as possible in getting a well-balanced result. When I'm speaking to 'Mo', and telling him things such as "you're so brave - and _everybody_ says so", its the tone and the intention in what I'm saying - the energy of such statements, if you like, which keeps him calm, less afraid, and less motivated to strike out. I've had considerable success with this approach over the years. Thanks again for stopping by - got a great episode on introducing your Feathered-one to the darkbox coming up this Sunday, so I hope we'll see you again in a couple of days! Best, Jo

[@freebirdofreason1994]

Thanks for a very informative video. I'm looking forward to each episode you make. I noticed you used a light to illuminate the work was it LED cree as these as very bright if it's got a small yellow square as the bulb a human should not look at it whilst on .I'm only saying as we can all learn things together. I was thinking of the feathered one not the nice human☺have a lovely day you are a fantastic channel we love it in the UK. 🙋

[@TheFalconLady]

Good afternoon Freebird; Thank you for weighing in - we're so glad to have friends in the UK cheering us on! We take pains to illuminate the area being worked-on, in this case 'Mohave's' beak, as pointing light directly into their eyes can - most _definitely_ - harm them. As always, a lot more footage was shot than is (typically) used in an episode; had we been shooting material strictly for the purposes of demonstrating a coping job on our big Red Tail, you'd have heard me asking Leah to point the light directly over my shoulder at his beak on a couple of occasions. Definitely appreciate your observations on this as its a great cautionary note to novices or early practitioners in _addition_ to being a good reminder for more experienced stewards like myself. Have a great week, and keep the great feedback coming! Best, Jo

[@freebirdofreason1994]

@@TheFalconLady Thank you Jo for your reply .have a great day .

[@eppellar21]

brings back good times this is my dauters page ime 75yr old stoped falcontry ehen i was 58yrold ps started when i was 13yrold

[@TheFalconLady]

That's wonderful!! Happy to have you with us! We hope you enjoy our videos, please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for future episodes :) -Leah

[@dylanupdyke7124]

When casting, why not hood the bird to help keep him calm?

[@TheFalconLady]

Hi again Dylan, thank you for this great question. While its pretty much standard practice to hood a falcon prior to being cast, (and _certainly_ a growing practice to unhood them again once they're settled into the casting-jacket), there are two philosophical "camps" where the hooding of hawks - particularly larger hawks, buzzards, and even eagles, is concerned. Some Falconers believe its acceptable, or even preferable, to hood these larger raptors just as a matter of course, and others, like myself, feel this can stimulate less desirable (ie: more _aggressive_ ) conduct from these feathered-companions. This is why its imperative for you to make swift work out of 'small-packaging' your hawk/buzzard/eagle for the purpose of casting them...it helps to keep the stress they *will* experience at a manageable level. Our feathered companions benefit from seeing what's going on (once their cast up) as they can see your facial expressions while you undertake the task at hand, be this coping, changing furniture, or addressing a first-aid issue. Imagine how much more stressful it would be for you were you to be blindfolded while sitting in a dentist's chair; never mind the fact you're a human being and the doctor can explain what he/she is going to do, you wouldn't be able to see what's coming, and thus mentally prepare yourself to put up with something which - logically - you _know_ is only temporary, and for your benefit. If you can't *_see_* what's coming, your stress level will - naturally - approach the stratosphere, (this is why some folks actually opt for being knocked-out when undergoing even some of the most benign dental procedures). Its my position, (and I'm in good company in this regard), given the fact birds-of-prey are self-aware, emotionally informed beings, their stress level is needlessly elevated by the practice of hooding them while we do something *to* them. Unless there's some overarching medical emergency in which hooding our companion will help to reduce their fear, pain and anxiety, allowing them to be involved with what's going on - albeit from the "cozy" confines of a casting jacket, will result in a much more foundationally trusting relationship between the two of you. Always remember, they will trust you until you give them good reason *not* to. I hope this offers a useful perspective to you, Dylan - thanks again for the question. Jo

[@dylanupdyke7124]

@@TheFalconLady OUTSTANDING Response Jo, thank you for taking the time to write this response. Im still watching (and learning) from your videos. I hope all is well for you up there in Canada! (Im in Maine)

[@angelo8516]

I enjoy your vids, but I was wondering why didn't you just hood the bird before the casting? The bird mojave would have been better served and less stressed. He was obviously stressed with all that squeaking! I've seen birds coped with the hoods on, and in the end got the same results. Falconers have different methods of doing things, but we all want the best of care for our birds. You guys, I think, do a good job in what you do, but there are a lot of different ways to do certain Falconry techniques. Anyway, I did enjoy your vid and respect what you do. Keep up the good work with your birds.🐦🐦

[@ronposuniak942]

Very good work, love you ladies, Leah looking fine as ever. Jo looking pretty hot! I like the control of the hawks head with your method, we just hood the bird, your method is better, Frederick would proud of you. My falcon needs coping very soon, I have good help with it. That means a lot!

[@TheFalconLady]

Good help is certainly hard to come by! I know will blush with your compliments, thank you for your cheering us on Ron! I would be interested to know if you try our method and if you like it better! :) -leah

[@ronposuniak942]

I try to incorporate a lot of your idea everyday, some I'm not dealing with but still think about. You do a lot to help beginners, which in turn saves a lot of birds health. It is so refreshing watching you two and your style, makes me love you. I think your both hot, combined with falconry is almost too much! Can't get enough of Leah. Ron

[@ronposuniak942]

Leah or leah? Have not used the thumb in the mouth, birds to small (?), thumbs too big for coping birds, also good to have talons dulled a little.

[@miklee9308]

I'm thinking i have trimmed the upper but may need to trim the lower can you explain more

[@TheFalconLady]

Great question, Mik! It's always important to ensure that you have a good fit between the upper beak and the space where the lower beak fits. You don't want a large gap between the top and bottom, but a very tiny (very tiny!) gap of half a milometer or so. When they're sitting on your glove or eating, you don't want to hear any 'clicking' sounds. I'll create a postcard video on how Jo shapes Mo's upper and lower beak together to ensure a comfortable fit. Have a wonderful day :) - Leah

[@TheFalconLady]

Good evening Mik; Great question - thank you for starting the conversation. Its as important to file back the lower beak as it is the upper to ensure a proper "fit" ,(as well as proper proportions), when your Feathered companion's beak is closed. When your hawk/falcon/eagle's beak is making a "clicking" sound, its largely because the lower beak is catching as its trying to fit up inside the upper part of the beak. This clicking/catching causes uneven wear, and discomfort, for your Feathered-one. Attending to the lower beak ensures it will not be pushing forward against the inside of the upper beak - which causes fracturing on the sides of the _upper_ beak, (these fractures can look like half-moon shaped 'flakes'), and also prevents deformation of the lower beak - usually as curvature, lop-sided growth, or "bow-ing" on the lower part of the beak (underneath). When you've reached a place where you feel you're almost done, gently hold their beak closed, and - even more carefully - tip their head back until you can see the lower beak nested up inside the upper beak. There should be a gap of 1mm - 2mm from the end of the lower beak to the inside surface of the upper beak, (no more than 1mm for the smaller raptors like Kestrels, Merlins and the like). Take care to create an even, curved end on the lower beak, and also make sure you smooth out the wear-pattern on the sides of the lower beak left from the movement of the upper beak. I hope this helps to answer your question - please let me know if you'd like further clarification. Best, Jo

[@cibernet.]

How are you friends, how have you been for a long time since you have not made videos, you are greatly missed, I hope you are well and greetings

[@clarencelupo7069]

Why the blurred out faces?

[@Charliefalke]

Mo you little sweet heart!! Why did he chirp? Love from Wet berlin!

[@TheFalconLady]

Hello Charlotte!! Nice to hear from you today! It's so interesting to see how much his personality changes from "i'm a big tough guy" at the beginning of the video, then to the end, "I'm a nice guy, please don't eat me!". He chirps when he's in the cast to make himself sound like a little baby, so that we feel sorry for him and we don't hurt him. Of course we never would do anything to hurt him, but he wants to make sure we won't! Have a wonderful day in Berlin! :) - Leah

[@Charliefalke]

@@TheFalconLady Thanks!! Clever boy!! Have a nice day!!

[@gavincole2659]

Why is this ladies face covered ?

[@nonya5413]

yup, just gonna break the beak for no reason. wtf ????? this is torture to the bird

[@jujucattys156]

Sorry but what a lot unnecessary messing about

[@gavincole2659]

Why is the ladies face covered ?

[@TheFalconLady]

Good afternoon Gavin; Thanks for stopping in to the channel. In the simplest terms, the young lady in question "no longer wishes to appear" in my videos. So, now she doesn't. 😊 Best, Jo

[@gavincole2659]

@@TheFalconLady Thanks for your reply jo, have you no new videos ive subscribed and are you on facebook ?