Falconry maintains raptors for hunting, with welfare standards varying widely depending on practitioner knowledge, species used, and regulatory oversight.
Falconry welfare spans a wide spectrum. In well-practiced hands, falconry provides raptors with significant hunting exercise, careful nutrition management, and attentive health monitoring — conditions that experienced falconers argue are superior to many wildlife rehabilitation releases. In inexperienced hands, falconry birds may be inadequately exercised, develop obesity, experience foot sores from improper perch management, or suffer from social isolation. Regulatory licensing requirements, which vary dramatically across countries, determine the baseline welfare standard of the falconry population. Countries with robust licensing and mandatory equipment inspections show better welfare outcomes.