This is by far the most interesting hobby that i'm not sure i'll ever be able to do. The bonding, the training and the birds are absolutely interesting.
Peregrine story. I grew up on the east coast. Back in 1965 or so, while driving home from work with my cousin, we spotted a falconer in the field. We pulled in to talk as I was very into falconry and had trained a few kestrals. Long story short that falconer we ran into was Cornelius Corny McFadden...well know falconer from Pennsylvainia. He was working with three peregrines just captured off Assateague Island, Maryland a few days earlier. Those freshly caught Peregrines, particularly the tiercel, were tame as parrots. Corny offered to give me the male but I was intimidated by the thought of a Peregrine and turned it down. I also had no place to fly a large falcon as I lived in Philadelphia at the time. I can't imagine an easier bird to handle or train as they just seemed more curious of their new surroundings than scared. I'll put passage Tiercel Prairies and Merlins in the same boat...very easy birds to handle.
@rickthomas2336 Yes. By the way, in Pennsylvania, falconers I believe legally are limited to just one peregrine in passage trapped. Newer contaminants are still a threat for this still sensitive, protected, recovering species listed there as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The key word here is "responsible". The last PA breeding bird atlas of 2004-2009 showed an increase still well below recovery numbers. Not representing falconry and most falconers, this video I would put in the irresponsible catagory.
😂OMG, that was SO FUNNY…”if you really hate yourself….”😂 I was advised not to take a second hand older female peregrine, who had 4 owners before me and a chamber bird, especially not for side use in education. I guess this is just what I do… I do not regret it! She is a very beautiful 12yr old Peale’s that had some trust issues. We haven’t gotten back in shape to stoop hunting yet, but she slams the prey from “the fist” fast! I’m ok with whatever she wants to do now. I’m her last home ☺️😌🙏💜
Great video. My sponsor trapped a peregrine on the Texas coast a few weeks back. Can you do more videos on your gyr that you're raising? Gyrs are my favorite birds
I would like to see the States allow additional species of raptors to be flown by second year apprentices. Even purchased birds. My State of Maryland, like many, allows Red Tails, Red Shouldered and Kestrels. After the first year, you’re aware of the life style changes, commitments, the expenses of equipment and the mew. You’re invested.
Same. If you are an apprentice, you will have a sponsor who will be advising you the whole time. What if there is a low population of kestrels in the area? Now you’re taking one from the gene pool… what if there are lots of prairie falcons around? “What if” are so common for every other law, why not? I get trying to stop the bad-guys and illegal activities. What about the thousands that are doing it the right way??
Thanks for the reply. I was hoping someone would chime in on a positive note. If someone thinks differently, I'd like to hear they're thoughts and reasons also.
thanks, for your thoughts, Ben! I am sure game, with a Peregrine💙, if only I could...🙄☺🙏🏻..maybe one day, but in the meantime, I so enjoy your vids and appreciate the information!! Be well ❤
Some more Gyr and coopers videos would be awesome I know some people here fly some but I haven’t gotten the opportunity to meet them yet so some information would be awesome thank you
Nope, man I'm totally with you, as someone who started with Prairies, and now flying a peregrine. Absolutely the peregrine would be better to start with.
Yes. For decades that was the law. But a few years back the federal government loosened that up. And federally now in the USA an apprentice can have almost anything, if the sponsor says so. But in addition, each state has to comply with the federal regulations OR make their own stricter version. So there may be some states that still require an apprentice to have either a kestrel or a red tail. But federally that got changed. And as far as I am aware, in most states an apprentice can have a pretty wide variety of species.
What about laggar falcon? in asia it is very easy to find and purchase and many falconers starts with laggar as their 1st long wing bird. is it good to start with?
Depends on who has one in your area. In years past I have brought an eagle to several weddings for friends. Usually education eagles are available from zoos or aviaries in most states. Can be tricky to find one, but not impossible. Can make for a really cool wedding!
hi ben, can you sponsor me from the use?im in scotland and everything I know I have learned from watching you. I have a passage peregrine 5month male. so in 5 week probably long for yous lol but I have got it hopping and to my glove and 5days ago I tried the lure and bang first time he did it but im a bit scared on what's next!letting it go?no leash? I have a kestrel coming on Saturday I have never had anyone show me bar you and im here for the long haul so any help or old equipment can anyone post me anything ? god bless
I admit to not seeing this or being a falconer, coming as an amateur ornithologist and conservationist and wanting to keep common sensitive, still recovering peregrines worldwide common, this assumption is erroneous and misleading. Because of the decline, kestrels are not appreciate, either. Only an immature redtail is a legitimate first bird. Then graduate to Harris's Hawks.
I have flown most of the larger falcon species, and the peregrine would be the last species I would recommend as a first large longwing. Unless you want to spends many dull hours sitting around while your falcon self hunts a couple of miles away. Telling people it is possible just encourages the unprepared to "have a go" . Manning and training falcons is a cake walk, compared to many others species. Hunting them however is very difficult to do well. This video feels a bit irresponsible to be honest. Just because it is theoretically possible, doesn't mean that most that try won't screw it up.
That’s interesting you have had such a different experience. I have also flown all the typical long wing species and hybrids and tribrids, and the peregrine (including every subspecies of them I have flown) have been the least prone to self hunt of any falcon species. I tried to make it clear in the video that longwinging is not typically the best entry (even though some parts of the world like much of the Middle East, that is THE form of falconry, with 12 year olds flying full sized sakers) But I absolutely love hearing others perspectives and experiences and thoughts. With your range of experience, what do you consider the best long wing to fly as a first large falcon?
@@benwoodrufffalconry Could be that we are in Europe almost exclusively flying captive bred falcons. But also could be a combination of the land we are flying over and the type and density of quarry available. Personally if I had to reconmend someone a first large longwing to hunt, it would have to be a Saker. Of all the species and hybrids I have flown, I still believe the Prairie falcon is the most underrated and unappreciated longwing in modern falconry. I believe most competent Falconers would do better flying a Prairie than a peregrine.
I would do anything to fly a saker from other than US breeding programs. Here our breeding permits are so hard to get that many breeders keep the best birds to fly and hold back the worst for breeding. Not always, but it is a problem. I think our saker and lanner genetics in the US are incredibly limited.@@davidirving2006
@@benwoodrufffalconry Have to strongly disagree with you on this one! I have spent many a day here in the UK chasing Peregrines up and down the country with telemetry and GPS ! Over the 33 years I've been flying and hunting with longwings I would strongly advise that a Sakerette would be the best Falcon for your first longwing! Only once have I had to go searching for a Saker! Unlike Peregrines they only seem to be interested in larger prey! In my experience Peregrines will go after anything that moves and they will straight line and not give up the chase for miles on end! Also Peregrines are very prone to self hunting,this in itself is a big red flag for the beginner!
This is to protect animals in China. We wanted to learn from you, but because of extreme animal protection, it is impossible to breed these animals artificially. Those animals said that all of yours were smuggled.
@@benwoodrufffalconry I'd really like to know what you have to say about the White Tail / Black Shoulder Kites. My favorite bird, I rehabbed a white-tail this year. Maybe another unconventional falconry birds video? Or hovering / hunting style comparison? There's very little information about them and I love their family dynamic and the passages are just the sweetest little things, I feel like they really make a fantastic education bird.
