Falconry Welfare Standards and Bird Care

Falconry is one of the oldest human-animal partnerships, with welfare standards that vary significantly by practitioner skill and commitment to the birds needs.

Key Facts

Falconry has been practiced for at least 4,000 years across multiple cultures
Raptors used in falconry include falcons, hawks, and eagles depending on regional tradition
Birds must be maintained at a precise flying weight — too heavy and they hunt poorly, too light and health suffers
Experienced falconers invest thousands of hours annually in bird management and training
Falconry birds in most jurisdictions must be taken as wild-caught young or captive-bred
The sport requires intensive knowledge of raptor behavior, health, and husbandry

Welfare Considerations

Falconry birds managed by skilled practitioners often live longer than wild counterparts due to consistent nutrition, veterinary care, and protection from hazards. However, birds managed by inexperienced falconers face welfare risks from incorrect weight management, inadequate flying opportunities, and poor social conditions. Raptors are solitary hunters but still require appropriate environmental complexity and the opportunity to fly. Weight control managed imprecisely creates chronic hunger or metabolic problems in the bird.

What You Can Do

If interested in falconry, apprentice with a licensed, experienced falconer before acquiring birds
Advocate for strong licensing requirements that ensure knowledge standards
Support organizations providing falconry education that emphasizes bird welfare
Never acquire raptors through illegal channels or without appropriate permits
Provide adequate flying opportunities and environmental enrichment for birds in your care
Support raptor rehabilitation programs that care for injured wild birds