Birds of Prey

Falconry is my main hobby, so here is a blog showing all photos of different raptors, both in captivity and in the wild. Some photos will also be my own of the birds at the bird of prey centre I work at. My absolute favourite bird is Dodge the Harris Hawk, so no doubt he will be featured a lot on here. Enjoy.

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I know it's not a bird of prey, but I can't not post these. A little orphaned hoglet whose mother was found dead in someone's garden came into the wildlife rehabilitation centre I work at. He was very hungry!

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my little chicken <3

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Wow what a beautiful bird

Not sure which one you're talking about, but thank you anyway!

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May I ask which part of Britain you work in (I'm assuming you are in Britain based on some comments you've made previously)? I've had apprenticeships/training at a few different centres around the country, as well as visiting a good majority of them, and scrolling through your beautiful birds just made me wonder whether I'd seen or met any of them in person!

The centre I work at is in Surrey. I've not been able to go recently, and probably not for a while yet, as I am now at university so am not able to travel there easily and do not have the time to do so. You may well have met some, we do a lot of offsite events at shows, fairs and open days!

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Wedge-tailed eagle - Australia's largest bird of prey

Photo credits:

Lone Pine Koala Sancturay

Fir002

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I think this is one of the best looking birds of prey out there, one of my favourites - the American swallow-tailed kite.

Photo credits:

Patrick Ellsworth

Ty and Ida

Brian E. Small

Jim Neiger

Michael Libbe

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Alan in flight

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Dobby showing off her ridiculously long legs

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our lovely female kestrel laying on the ground

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lovely new bird, pure saker falcon called Tim

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soaked - had a bath in the sunshine

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freddie!

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wild buzzard - the adult female of the nest local to me

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Your Asian brown wood owl is lovely!!! You have some really beautiful birds!!!!! (From a fellow falconer)

Why thank you! She is one of our most nervy birds, but beautiful all the same. She is often the one who gets most compliments!

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hey I was hoping you could help me out with something... ? My names Liam and im from New Zealand and the New Zealand falcon is one of a few national birds and later on this year I am getting a falcon tattoo but ive been thinking before I get this tattoo I should really learn some more about the amazing bird so I was wondering if you would do me the honor of being over flowed with information about the falcon ! would be soo cool to hear everything you know !!!!!

New Zealand falcons are absolutely gorgeous birds!

New Zealand is one of the only places in the world that is not home to the peregrine falcon, and it is commonly thought this is due to the fact that New Zealand falcons are just too fierce. They are extremely intelligent birds, and only recently have been used in falconry so still we do not know their potential. They are fiercely protective when on game, but otherwise seem to be one of the tamest birds around when being handled, said to be tamer than a well trained harris hawk.

Sadly they are one of New Zealand's most threatened birds of prey. Being endemic only to New Zealand, they tend to be quite susceptible to change. They are quite unique in that they are one of the only falcons to have the ability to hunt in both open habitats and in forested areas, making them extremely versatile hunters. This is because they share some traits similar to hawks - they have very soft plumage which means the feathers are more flexible and resistant to breaking when chasing prey into thick cover in forests. This trait is very rare for a falcon to possess, and is what allows it to hunt in the open sky (like a typical falcon) as well as enclosed woodland/forests (like a typical hawk).

They are incredibly protective of their nests. Any animal or human that gets too close will have scars to prove so, as the falcons are not afraid to strike, legs and talons outstretched. The New Zealand falcon is known internationally as the bravest and most aggressive of the falcon species.

The versatile characteristics of this species means that this feisty little falcon fulfils all the roles that normally several species would fill overseas.

They are quick, extremely manoeuvrable and agile, making for a spectacular bird to see in the wild, and a fantastic bird to use in falconry, however only in the past few years have falconers taken them on.

There isn't a load of information on there, but it's what I know, so I hope you find it interesting and useful in some way, and I'd love to see the finished tattoo if you do get it done!

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preening my hand and standing on it

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looking scruffy (he's just had a bath and is in the middle of moult)