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Harris Hawk Red-Tailed Handbook: The Beginner's Guide to Keeping and Training Your Own Red-Tailed Hawk

Eliot Foster

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Published in Harris Hawk Redtail Handbook: Beginner S Guide

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The Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a medium-sized hawk found in the Americas. It is a popular choice for falconers due to its intelligence, trainability, and versatility. The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a large hawk found in North America. It is also a popular choice for falconers, but it is generally considered to be more challenging to train than the Harris hawk.

Harris Hawk & Redtail Handbook: Beginner's Guide

by Kev Fletcher

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8989 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	102 pages
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If you are interested in keeping and training a red-tailed hawk, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started. We will cover everything from choosing the right hawk to training it for hunting. We will also provide tips on how to keep your hawk healthy and happy.

Choosing the Right Hawk

The first step in keeping and training a red-tailed hawk is to choose the right bird. There are a few things you should keep in mind when making your choice:

Age: It is best to start with a young hawk that has not been imprinted on humans. Imprinted hawks can be difficult to train and may not be as reliable as hawks that have been raised in captivity.
Gender: Male hawks are typically smaller than female hawks, but they are also more aggressive. Female hawks are generally easier to train, but they may be more expensive to purchase.
Health: It is important to choose a hawk that is healthy and free of any injuries or diseases. You should also make sure that the hawk has been vaccinated against common diseases.

Training Your Hawk

Once you have chosen a hawk, you need to start training it. The first step is to get your hawk used to you. This can be done by spending time with it each day and talking to it in a soft voice. You can also start to teach your hawk basic commands, such as "come" and "sit".

Once your hawk is used to you, you can start training it to hunt. This can be done by flying it to a lure or by taking it out on a hunt. It is important to be patient when training your hawk, as it may take some time for it to learn what you want it to do.

Keeping Your Hawk Healthy and Happy

In addition to training your hawk, you also need to make sure that it is healthy and happy. This means providing it with a proper diet, exercise, and veterinary care.

Diet: Red-tailed hawks are carnivores and need to eat a diet of meat. You can feed your hawk a variety of foods, such as mice, rabbits, and birds. It is important to make sure that your hawk's diet is balanced and that it is getting all the nutrients it needs.

Exercise: Red-tailed hawks are active birds and need regular exercise. You can provide your hawk with exercise by flying it or by playing with it in a safe environment.

Veterinary care: It is important to take your hawk to the veterinarian for regular checkups. This will help to ensure that your hawk is healthy and free of any diseases or injuries.

Keeping and training a red-tailed hawk can be a rewarding experience. However, it is important to remember that this is a serious commitment. You need to be prepared to provide your hawk with the proper care and attention for its entire life.

If you are prepared to make this commitment, then I encourage you to learn more about red-tailed hawks and falconry. There are many resources available to help you get started, and there are many experienced falconers who can provide you with guidance and support.

Harris Hawk & Redtail Handbook: Beginner's Guide

by Kev Fletcher

4.4 out of 5