Introduction to raptors Flashcards
Define Falconry
keeping of falcons (or other prey birds) and training them to hunt wild animals (sport)
What Law in the UK applies to birds of prey ?
- Illegal to take raptors from wild without license except if receiving tx from vet or allowed person
- Licensing by Defra
IS a license needed to own or fly captive-bred birds of prey ?
NO
What act protects wild birds?
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Give examples of HAwks
Goshawks, Sparrowhawk
Give examples of Falcons
Peregrin Falcon , Saker, Merlin, Kestrel
Give examples of Buzzards
Common buzzard, harris hawk
What two basic systems for husbandry?
- Tethered on blocks or perches
- Aviaries
What are two perch types?
1.Bow
2. Block
What type of perch surfaces?
- Astroturf
- Nylon rope
- NAtural materials
Describe Diet for raptors
- Entire carcass and then regurgitate the bones and feather/fur
- Do not feed pure muscle (not a balanced diet)
- feeding the same each day will not be balanced
- Ca:P ratio is important
- Fresh water for bathing and drinking
What flying ‘furniture’ is there?
- Aylmeri/ Anklet
- Jesse
- Swivel
FLight weight?
ideal weight for flying (lowest weight that allows optimal performance)
What can cast mean?
- the method to hold a bird for examination
- To regurgitate a pellet
- Two or more birds flown together
What does Cast off mean?
released from the fist
Casting ?
indigestible part of the diet
Foot / footing?
when a bird strikes with its feet
Imping?
Replacement of damaged feathers, gluing a new tip onto a broken feather (allows precision in flying)
Define Mutes
droppings/ faeces
Define Manned (to man)
a bird that has been tamed and is used to humans
Define Mews
building that a bird is kept/trained in
Define Hood
leather ap that overs a birds face, used to calm birds
Describe how to safely handle a bird of prey?
- Always cast a bird of prey to examine it
- If the bird is used to a hood always hood first to reduce stress
- Always watch FEET not beak!
How to Cast bird?
- Using towel grasp from behind around wings/body
- Wrap in towel and ideally cover head
- DO NOT RESTRICT BREATHING
- Hold legs
List common conditions of raptors?
» Aspergillosis » Enteritis » Coccidiosis » Capillaria » Lead Poisoning » Crop Stasis » Frost Bite » Wing tip oedema » Pododermatisis » Blunt Trauma » Fractures
aspergillosis in birds - describe
- Fungal spores in environment
- Individual birds susceptible
- FOund in moulds within soil, feed and hay