Here's my Hobby

This ones 25 years old and I've had her since she was 10 weeksView attachment 23341

 

I have two,both female one hawk above and one falconView attachment 23343

 

Aaaah! I love birds of prey! Nice

 

I must admit to feeling a little jealous Roy! Our wedding rings were delivered by a barn owl at our wedding, and we had a falcon display/handling as well for the guests (I made sure I got back from all the photos in time to join in ) I'd love to have either a kestrel or an owl

This is Whisper, the young fella at our wedding

 

Kestrels are very difficult to keep and really not good for a novice.
Barn owls look pretty so I can understand that.I use to have a eagle owl but the owl family are not good to fly.
I'm so tempted to get a Golden Eagle but I'm not sure if I have the time to do it justice.
I've been a Falconer for 27 years.

Must add what a beautiful Wedding Photo.

 

Which would be the easiest? I appreciate non would be a walk in the park for the novice

And thank you

 

Barn owl if you just want it as a pet,although in season at a little out of season I fly everyday weather permitting.
I always tell people they are not like a set of golf clubs than you can put in the garage and forget about them.
It's best to go on a day out with a falconer,I know so many that mess the training up and the bird stays then in the mews and is never flown.
That said its only common sense.Normally the bigger the bird up to a certain size is the easiest because on a little kestrel that weighs 6-7 oz if you forget to feed at a certain time you could kill it.

 

I like birds of prey.

For years I wondered how come owls had managed to earn their place in so many old stories and folklore and such, then one day while just finishing a bike ride in some woods, later than planned (still out at dusk), I saw an owl having a fly from tree to tree. It must have passed within 10 ft of my head at one point, yet there was no sound at all. I could only see it when it moved. I'd see it leave a branch, and I'd watch it glide in absolute silence to the next tree, where I'd see it land then it was just out of sight until it moved again. It was just like a phantom.

I saw a massive hawk/eagle thing on my land once (you'll have to forgive my ignorance on the terminology, I'm not knowledgeable on the subject). Its wing span must have been easily 4 ft. It was stood on the gate post and then it just extended its wings and sort of glided off. Just gliding about 6ft off the floor, until it got to the next perch it fancied. It was quite a sight.

 

With my hawk I can leaver soaring for half an hour she just plays untill I call her back much to the surprise of walkers who don't know she's up there.

 

Great advice Roy

We've got a local wild buzzard, and an owl that I'm pretty sure is a tawny owl from its hoot. Barn owls sound scary when they screech!

 

Lovely Harris Hawk and Peregrine you have there Roy and they are beautiful specimens

We went to Warwick Castle last Saturday and they were flying two American Bald Eagles and we thought they were big until out came the Steller's Sea Eagle which made the Bald Eagles look quiet tiny

You have a fantastic hobby there Roy

Lovely wedding photo of you both Helen and just love the owl

 

Wild Buzzard look huge and weigh around 1lb 10oz possibliy 2 lb for the females because with all birds of prey the female is the much larger.Many years ago new people who entered the sport were told and some are now to have one as your first bird the problem is people get bored with them because they can catch very little and can be quite lazy and then what you end up with is a bird stuck in someone's back garden after its been passed around a lot of owners.
For me a Harris Hawk can be a bird that will do anything you ask if we stick with it of coarse many don't.

 

Thanks Kandy

 

If I had one it'd be for the life of the bird, I couldn't imagine me being "oh I'm bored now..." and abandon the poor thing!