Welfare standards and considerations for birds of prey used in traditional falconry.
Falconry presents a complex welfare picture where traditional practices have been refined over millennia to maintain bird health and performance, creating a culture of careful husbandry that modern welfare science largely validates. The weight management central to falconry training requires precision that, when done well, keeps birds in optimal condition rather than causing deprivation. However, significant welfare risks exist with inexperienced falconers, inappropriate housing, and birds imprinted to human contact who then experience isolation. Licensing and training requirements in regulated falconry countries help maintain welfare standards that unregulated practice lacks.