Escaped Falconry Kestrel

On Nov. 5 on our way home from a bird photography outing Lia spotted this male Kestrel with jesses dangling - apparently an escaped falconry bird. I was able to get off a few shots that morning and since then we've seen it in the same area a half dozen times.

We are concerned that the bird will get it's jesses tangled and suffer an extremely cruel death - see my related post here:

http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=70231&CGISESSID=08c76b9d7a2cc6a4a1da245b9bf27983&u=30404)

So we have been in contact with local wildlife officials as well as falconry groups and there are continuing efforts to capture the bird, mostly by falconers I believe.

From my photos it seems that the kestrel has no falconry band (It's my understanding that a band is required for falconry birds). It was the original intention of DWR to return the kestrel to it's handler if it could be captured, but without a band (and no one has reported a missing male kestrel), that is unlikely. Apparently, there's also the possibility that this bird was captured illegally since it is bandless.

I've heard of two possible scenarios should this bird be captured - one member of the falconry community would remove the jesses and free the kestrel. It seems healthy, well-fed and doing well on it's own. The other person mentioned "trying to find it's handler" but I don't know for sure what would happen to the bird if that couldn't be done.

Lia and I are apprehensive about the prospects for this particular kestrel and confused about the overall impacts of falconry on raptor populations in general. This situation has brought it all very close to home for us since we usually see "Jack" (Lia's moniker for him) on most mornings, so after much musing about the advisability of making such a post I just decided to do it (I understand that falconry can be a controversial subject).

I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on the possible positive/negative impacts of falconry on raptors. I have a lot to learn on the subject. Also, I'd welcome any suggestions as to what we should/shouldn't do in this situation.

BTW, I was concerned that this post might not technically fit the guidelines of this forum but based on the following from the Guidelines I figured this was the best place for the post.

"The Avian Gallery is intended solely for bird photo critique. All other bird-related topics and photos should be posted in the Bird Photography discussion forum."

This closeup shows that the kestrel does not have a falconry band. I suppose it's possible that it's under the jess on the leg but that seems unlikely to me, though I don't know their size.

Hey Ron,

For me this is a pretty complicated topic with not a lot of black and white. Falconry isn't something that I would be interested in personally. In fact, I have some pretty strong personal objections (or at least reservations) to keeping these amazing birds as pets, cooped up most of the time, then loosed to serve our purposes. On the other hand, it's also my impression that falconers have a very deep personal appreciation and understanding of the birds. I also think that it's important to keep in mind that falconers have been inspired to great conservation action for these birds. I believe that the Peregrine Fund, which does exceptional conservation work across the world, has its beginnings strongly rooted in falconry. (In much the same way that hunters provided some of the most important impetus for conserving waterfowl.)

I do think that it is an activity that should be very strongly regulated. (I think it is?) I suspect this bird may have been taken illegally, since local falconers haven't heard anything about it and it has no band. I think any legitimate falconer would be deeply concerned about his bird getting hung up on its jesses and that the local community would be very aware that it was missing...

Any way, that's my two cents, and I certainly hope the bird comes out of this ok. I'm glad that you guys are trying to help it to a good ending.

Brian

Falconry regulations are complicated, there are federal regulations and there are state regulations. According to the federal regulations, kestrels are not required to be banded. Some states may require it, states may be more restrictive but not less restrictive than the federal regulations. Personal opinions about falconry aside, it is legal and most falconers are very concientous about their birds. It shouldn't be too difficult for a falconer to recapture this bird, remove the jesses, and release it (if the falconer who lost it can't be found). Falconry raptors adjust very well to living on their own in a short period of time, unless they are imprints, unlikely with a kestrel.

A former boss of mine recently got in touch with me and he has just received all of his certifications for falconry. Last week he captured a 1st year female red-tailed hawk and will begin the training process. If you want to talk about cruelty think of the gerbil he put in the trap to attract the hawk . . .

From what I understand, falconry is extremely regulated with several years of apprenticeship and tests and certifications etc. While it is a conflict to me to capture a wild animal (raptors are by and large my main interest in the avian world) and essentially keep it as a pet, this is not the goal or object of falconers (or at least the majority). Falconers are passionate about their birds and put years of effort into becoming a falconer and training their bird. They want to share what they know, they want to take the bird to Audubon society functions, to local fairs, to schools, etc. and teach people about the birds. I have many great memories growing up in Minnesota and seeing these birds which of course has played a role in my interest in them. It's impossible to say what the effect of falconers have on the populations, positive or negative. Yes they capture wild animals, but they use them for educational purposes. Is it any worse than fish or lobsters caught in the wild which end up in an aquarium? It's my guess that birds reared by falconers will live longer lives and never worry about a meal (though I don't know if they are allowed to mate, which certainly is a significant part of any organisms life). If I were a hawk, I'd rather be someone's pet then get hit by a car or a train after a year or two of life. . .

As for what to do, I can't really help you there but I hope you will be back to report a good outcome.

- Luke

Usually you can get someone at USFWS to come out with an appropriate trap - usually a bal chatri - a looped string widget - and catch the bird. It's at least worth a call. Of course, if you don't know the owner that just makes another problem. Falconry birds raised from eggs aren't always competent hunters. You might contact a raptor rehabber as well.

Luke's right about the mixed blessings of falconry. While they do a good job educating school kids, it's also true that falconers hit an eyrie not far from the highway in the Alaska Range so many times over so many years that the Gyrfalcons trying to raise kids there finally gave up.

The Kestrel is feeding on its own or he would not look as healthy as he appears, our biggest concern is the jesses getting hung up some on some wires or tree branches and then the bird dying because it could not hunt. Because the jesses are so faded we believe the kestrel may have been lost some time ago.

There have been several attempts by two men from the local falconry club to recapture the kestrel and if they do not find the black band under the jesses when they catch it they will remove them and let him go. Thus far the kestrel has not paid attention to the bait. As the temps drop and snow begins to cover the ground perhaps the kestrel will pay more attention to it.

There doesn't appear to be a band on the bird. Two House Sparrows in Bal-chatri should do the trick.

I have dealt with several different raptors in zoos and some of them were very good at getting the jesses off on their own. Maybe this bird will learn how also.

Thanks for all your input on this everyone.

So far there's nothing new to report. We spotted the kestrel again yesterday and he still seems healthy and active. Trapping efforts continue. If they catch him I'll report on this thread.

Ron:

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how the recapture was going.

Doug

We spotted the Kestrel twice yesterday and the day before we spotted him with a vole. Efforts to recapture are on going.