Training an American kestrel

Training an American kestrel to come to the fist. Check out that response time!!! 7 days off the trap. Getting some flight time/practice in at the office. Warning: cricket death at the end!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• falcon
• falconry
• american
• kestrel
• hawking
• raptor
• wildlife
• training

[dirtbikecaboose]

WOW!!! Great response time... and just off the trap, they are quick little learners... and you say you use crickets? Will have to try that. I am teaching one at our rehab center, he was deemed unreleasable due to him being soooo friendly with humans, he sits unjessed on my glove. I am going to jess him and see if he will start flying to me for tid bits...

[rtperch]

@dirtbikecaboose The kestrel is probably releasable unless it was imprinted. 1st year kestrels can tame down pretty quick and be comfortable using people as perches--no glove required. But they'll go wild to in a few weeks of being fed with no human-food association--provided they are not imprinted. Unless you intend to keep the kestrel as a rehab/education animal,I wouldn't train it with crickets as that will just set it further back from being released--and migration season is coming fast.

[MPSecare]

i have a nest in my backyard we thought it was red tail but its a teeny kestrel

[rtperch]

@MPSecare American kestrels are cavity nesters, typically nesting in tree holes, gaps or ledges in buildings, nest boxes, or cliffs or rock faces. If you're seeing a nest in the branches of a tree in your back yard, it's most likely not an American kestrel. It could be any number of other small raptors. Whatever it is, enjoy it! You can also help the parents out by going to a pet store, buying a white mouse, and leaving it out in the open on a card table where the parents can grab it. Free food!

[Kubatko]

it's an amazing bird, had a chance to see one in the nature really close, pure beauty to see such an animal

[rtperch]

@Kubatko I think the American kestrel is probably the prettiest bird of prey in North America. They're---dare I say it?---damn cute little buggers. :)

[frekijsimpson]

there are strict laws involved. you can't just go trap a bird legally.

[DanceSwan]

please don't unless you are a professional falconer.

[birdgeekguy]

He's so pretty!

[andrewtran0106]

how can i buy this bird,where can i buy them . and what do i need for get them, i am living in US , california, , or can u email me, minhtrung_0106@yahoo.com

[zomblification]

Such a beautiful bird.

[AcidfartProductions]

Do you get to keep the bird?

[ifaoduistheway]

@flauterfli Now!!, My favorite Bird of Prey is the Harris Hawk :D

[ifaoduistheway]

@flauterfli thank you for your answer."MY COMMENT IS OLD"ive been reading alot about them,,i know they are wild,thats the reason i love them,my brother just got his permit and has a Red Tail Hawk,they take long time but worth it,you have to have the time for these birds,and not only time,the space and the money $,anyway in your comment looks like you know a little bit about them,thank you again.BLESSINGS :)

[flauterfli]

@ifaoduistheway

Not to be redundant but you can get a permit to "own" one. =) But they aren't pets and you can only have them for rehabilitation and falconry. Meaning you use them to hunt or train them to hunt for themselves while providing a safe habitat for them. But they can't be domesticated like a parakeet.

[WraithAscendant]

I had one of these, the most amazing experience of my life. I want to continue falconry but it will have to wait while I am in the city :(

[ifaoduistheway]

@rtperch Thank U For UR Info,,,!!!

[dirtbikecaboose]

@rtperch Unfortunately my boss wants me to train him as an educational bird and The department of fish and game already gave the go ahead for us. So it is cool I will be able to train this awesome brd but at the same time sad I cannot release him. But I am already compramising with my boss and asking if I can train him to hunt and if so maybe release him if he is successful