falconry - DAVE???

[Echo's Mom]

I'm hoping that Dave has some input!

 

I have a friend of mine who is trying to do research (and not having much success) on falconry, and training parrots (it's all paper-based / armchair discussions, nothing "real" - she doesn't even have a parrot!) using food as a motivator.

 

She is trying to find articles on "working your bird for food"

 

The stuff that she is finding on line is simply too general.

 

Does anyone have any references I could send her way?

 

Thanks,

 

Marion

[Greywings]

Try the yahoo clicker training group. Many birds are just not as food oriented as predatory birds or dogs are. Some work better for praise or close contact.

[Dave007]

I'm hoping that Dave has some input!

 

I have a friend of mine who is trying to do research (and not having much success) on falconry' date=' and training parrots (it's all paper-based / armchair discussions, nothing "real" - she doesn't even have a parrot!) using food as a motivator.

 

She is trying to find articles on "working your bird for food"

 

The stuff that she is finding on line is simply too general.

 

Does anyone have any references I could send her way?

 

Thanks,

 

Marion[/quote']

 

 

Dealing with falcons or other predatory birds----- a young, but fully-grown, raptor is trained through conditioning using the reward of food as a positive reinforcement. Unlike pets, raptors are non-affectionate animals, having no ability to deal with dominant people or people's roles. They do not "love" the falconer, they will not aim to please him; they are simply opportunistic and learn that life with the falconer affords the easiest and most reliable source of food and protection. Continuing the relationship, then, is a matter of convenience for the raptor. However, it is often thought there is a bond between bird and falconer, through which each trusts the other. That only means that the bird trusts the falconer not to steal its food and provide protection, and the falconer trusts the bird to come back, so no bond.

 

There are different schools of thought when it comes to feeding falconry birds. Some Europeans feed meat based on its nutritional value to control how hungry the bird is. They feed additional roughage such as fur, so the bird can digest properly. Most raptors need to have fur and/or feathers in their diet. It cleans out the crop, and is regurgitated in a football shaped pellet called a casting. Some Americans feed their birds whole food such as mouse or quail, reducing the need for supplements and additional roughage. All birds of prey eat a strictly carniverious diet.

 

Training birds of prey is a complex undertaking. Books containing hundreds of pages of information and advice by experienced falconers are still rudimentary at best. Many important details vary between individual raptors, species of raptors and between places and times. Unfortunately, without mentoring by an experienced falconer, raptors may be illegally taken and kept, and can be harmed by uneducated falconers. Rather than attempt to train a raptor using only Internet resources and books, it is wise to find experienced falconers and volunteer or apprentice with them. The keeping and training of any raptor is strictly and tightly regulated by U.S. State and federal laws. Anyone in the USA who is interested in flying raptors must seek out a state and federally licensed falconer to sponsor them through an apprenticeship period lasting two years at a minimum, and often considerably longer.

 

Now for parrots---comparison to raptors is like apples and oranges. The training of parrots is totally different.

Parrots are flock animals--all predatory birds are loners. They will eat the parrots. Actually, anything that's alive and can be grabbed will get eaten.

 

Ther's much more info about falconry but that usually is about methods of holding, hooding, perching, touching, using gloves and traveling from one place to another. It's a dangerous thing to mess with.

 

Experienced falconers are the only ones that can teach it to others. It's a dangerous hobby to get into. Also, most people who deal with any type of raptor training aren't interested in parrots.

 

If your friend is interested in parrots, make sure that he/she knows the difference between predator and prey birds. There's a world of difference between the two.

 

[Echo's Mom]

Thanks so much, I knew someone on here would have some info ... pretty neat that I knew Dave would know! And I haven't been on here that long at all!

 

Much appreciated!