Falconry Welfare Standards and Best Practice

Falconry is an ancient practice with a strong welfare tradition, but modern welfare standards help ensure raptors in working partnerships experience good welfare.

Key Facts

Falconry is practiced globally with an estimated 10,000 practitioners in the UK and 30,000 in the US
Captive-bred falconry birds have replaced most wild-caught birds in established falconry traditions
Falconry welfare standards include appropriate jess and equipment fit, weight management, and housing quality
The IAF (International Association for Falconry) promotes welfare standards globally through its member organizations
Falconry birds that are well-trained and appropriately managed show low chronic stress indicators

Welfare Considerations

Falconry welfare sits at an interesting intersection: raptors in working partnerships with experienced falconers can experience excellent welfare through appropriate management, high-quality hunting activity, and the enrichment of working relationships. However, falconry also carries welfare risks from inappropriate weight management, equipment problems, and insufficient training. The welfare standard in falconry is the skilled, knowledgeable practitioner whose commitment to the bird's welfare is as strong as their commitment to the hunting partnership. Welfare regulation that focuses on practitioner competence and equipment standards best protects working raptor welfare.

What You Can Do

Support falconry licensing and welfare standard requirements
Learn about raptor welfare needs before considering falconry participation
Report concerns about raptor welfare to relevant wildlife and falconry authorities
Support wildlife rehabilitators who care for injured raptors
Engage with falconry organizations that prioritize welfare standards in their membership requirements