Falconry Basics

Michael K Nicholls has been an active falconer since 1968 when he trained his first kestrel, and still regularly flies merlins and peregrines through the hunting season. He is a passionate advocate for the improvement of the welfare of birds of prey in captive situations, and was involved in the development and promotion of the first nationally recognised awards for falconry best practice. An academic by profession (now retired), with a particular interest in raptor biology, Mike is a member of the Hawk Board and a former editor of the British Falconers' Club Journal and Newsletter. He has written extensively for both academic journals and more popular falconry and avicultural magazines.

• PrefacePreface to the 2003 editionA note on terminologyIntroductionPART 1: Getting started1 Before you start 2 Falconry and the law 3 Hawks, hawking and falconry 4 First hawk PART 2: Preparing for your first hawk 5 Hawk accommodation and furniture 6 Hawk furniture 7 Training equipment 8 Hawk food 9 Buying and handling a hawkPART 3: Training and flying 10 Weight and condition 11 First steps 12 Up to free flight 13 Flying free 14 Other considerationsPART 4: Hawking for quarry 15 Vital homework 16 Entering and basic hunting 17 Hawking companions: dogs and ferrets 18 Notes on quarry PART 5: Maintaining your hawk 19 Illness and injury 20 Beaks and talons 21 Feathers: moulting and repair PART 6: Reference : A hawk’s anatomy IAF Guidelines for the General Welfare of Falconry Raptors A falconry glossary Checklist of equipment Further reading Useful contacts Acknowledgements About the authors Index

I found this revised version of the 2003 edition to be exceptionally well written, the text easy to follow and the advice and sensible cautions for beginners that are peppered throughout to be most informative... The advice on bird selection, housing, essential equipment and the care and maintenance of birds of prey is detailed.