Wild Bird Wednesday #68
I had the privilege of attending, through the Northern Illinois Raptor Center, a Falconry Demonstration by the Falconer who flies his birds for Medieval Times in the Chicago area. Though this wonderful falcon is not in the wild, his hunting technique is the same as a wild falcon so we will be seeing something that people rarely see ... some close up reality.
The falcon I am showing in these pictures is in training so he is being flown on a creance line ( a strong line that is very light weight) to make sure that he doesn't just fly away and to get him used to the routine of returning to the glove for his reward. (click on the pictures for the full effect).
We start with a kite, flying high in the sky ...
Hanging from the kite string is a lure with meat attached to it ...
This young falcon is a hybrid ... a Peregrine falcon, Gyrfalcon mix ... he is slightly larger than the Peregrine falcon and his coloring is magnificent.
He is released and flies
He spots the lure
and attacks ...
he kills his prey
and retrieves it ...
Bringing it to the ground ...
Here he is mantling over the prey to prevent any other potential predators from seeing it ...
He eats what is there ...
and returns to the glove for his reward ...
Got Napkin ? :)
final.jpg)
.jpg)
