@@kristywebster5833 Good morning Kristy; Great question - thanks for weighing in. While we're in the process of "winning" our Feathered-one's good regard, the more they can inculcate - and trust in the fact - that we are the "safe place" to be, the stronger the bond becomes. Our modern world is radically different from the largely 'wild' world of our Falconry predecessors, which was filled - largely - with natural spaces, few large buildings, etc. Today, there are many things which pose hazards to our companions; they are wholly innocent as to the danger of vehicles, the danger of glass windows, or the danger of heavy overhead power-lines. If they're never shown these things, they cannot hope to have some impression of how to 'navigate' them. So... In going into active environments (gotta say - I love that term!) such as the environs surrounding the Legislature building, or even walking down one of the busiest streets in Vancouver, (which we've done historically), our Feathered-one learns to lean on us - to see us as the "known" while they get their heads around the unknown. Its been my experience the more the Feathered can see and be introduced-to, the better, regardless of how bizarre such manning opprtunities are from their at-home experience. Even a hunting companion benefits from this kind of 'manning' from time-to-time; it expands their understanding of the world in which they live (with us). It prepares them - to the extent its possible to _do_ so, for the unknowns of the wider world. Thanks again for the great question - we'll look forward to your feedback on the upcoming episode. :0) Best, Jo

Halo did an excellent job, we're so proud of them when they trust us and take everything in stride. It's important to monitor them to ensure they're not getting stressed out, and enjoy the experience as much as they possibly can. Thank you for your input, Richard! Have a wonderful day :) - Leah

They certainly do, it's always interesting to view things through their eyes! :) - leah

@@TheFalconLady Theres a National Geographic episode where a micro cam shows what its like for a hawk and a goshawk in flight also a hawk named Frightful jumping out of a Cessna :)

Good evening, Alessandro - we *love* great supporters like you! Thank you for stopping in! :0) Best, Jo

That's very interesting! You never know what looks weird or different to them that we find absolutely normal. It's always a process, but important to remain calm and patient while we figure it out for them. Thanks for the love Kiki! :) - leah

That's amazing to hear Jan, we love introducing Team Feathers to new and unique environments that they wouldn't ordinarily get to see. Have a fantastic day with your beautiful golden! :) - Leah

Good morning Nalanix; Thank you for your great questions - and welcome to the journey! Your experience with small birds will be a great source of insight for you going forward; raptors _are_ quite different from "business-end of the food-chain" birds, but there are aspects to their body-language which (in my view) _do_ cross over. Manning is most definitely a process. The first demarcation point is just getting a Feathered companion to agree to stand on the glove for extended periods of time. Once they'll agree to this, taking a few steps - while they remain on the glove - is the next step. From here, you're attempting to walk the distance of your driveway, or around the house, extending the distance each time you go for a walk together. As a bird-of-prey's principle sense for interacting with the world around them is their eyesight, (and keeping in mind its always a good idea to have the hood handy for those moments where your Feathered-one needs a "break" from the sight of _you_ ), allowing them to see their surroundings from the perspective of your glove is ideal. Owls definitely take in a great deal of auditory information during this process, so as the steward of an owl intent on learning their unique variant of body-language, getting one's mind quiet enough to begin to pay deep attention to the sound-floor when working with an one is _quite_ important. The reality is its sometimes a big "ask" at the beginning of your journey with a new (young) falcon, hawk or what-have-you to persuade them they'll be more as ease if they just stand on the glove, and allow you to watch out for them. Sometimes, sitting down with them for long periods of time and providing the "space" they desire to study _us_ in the context of your shared surroundings is where they - themselves - are most at ease. Its wonderfully relaxing to man them like this, and hugely beneficial to reinforcing a _relationship_ founded on trust, so I'd definitely encourage this. Finally, you're quite right in hitting on the hooding and manning being fundamentally connected; the former acts as a tool to help both you get good at the latter. i hope you feel this answers your questions - please let me know if there's anything I might have glossed over. Best, Jo

Hi Charlie! The first signs of discomfort to look out for is the swift turning of their head, indicating that they're looking around to find something to hide near or under. They drop their wings, mute ("poop") and flap their wings to be able to fly to another spot as quickly as they can, that is also a sign that they are unsure of the situation. Our work is to remain calm, relaxed and confident in the situation, to show them that they have nothing to be worried about. Then when we see that they're rousing, calming looking around, holding their wings in a normal position on their body, we know that they're relaxing into the situation or experience. That's the space we want them to get to. Thank you very much for your love and your questions, we can't wait to bring you more episodes! :) - Leah

I remember years ago we manned Team Feathers around the 2010 Vancouver Olympic cauldron in the height of competition, that was a crazy experience!! :) -leah

Hi Mang, great question! The manning technique is very similar to this one but with lots of patience involved. Here is Jo's answer to another person who asked a question similar to yours, I thought it was a great answer: "You'll likely be aware of the reality a wild-trapped raptor is going to find everything "human related" wildly bizarre, intimidating, foreign and, (frankly), frightening. Naturally this means their reactivity to literally *_everything_* about your human world is going to be "hair trigger" in nature - the last thing a wild creature "wants" is to be anywhere near a human being...thus this naturally means your wild-trapped Companion will need the _utmost_ in empathy and patience from you. In the broadest terms, the manning process for your juvenile (passage) falcon/hawk/eagle is the same as that for a captive-bred, parent-reared bird-of-prey. This said - as you've all ready guessed, some improvisation will be needed. Your Companion's initial terror of _you_ is the first hurdle to overcome; your 'manning' efforts in the first few days to as much as a couple of weeks will necessarily shrink down to just getting her to consent to stepping up onto your gauntlet, sitting quietly with her for as long as she'll allow it, (hours, if you can), and speaking to her with encouragement and empathy. Remember: Take. Your. Time. There is *_no_* rush. If she's progressing well, (ie: accepting the invitation to step up onto the glove, feeding from your glove readily, allowing you to walk her around the house), graduate to the area in your garden. Allow her to study things which cause her to bate off the gauntlet from a distance, then - gradually, get closer and closer until she's next to the bicycle/dog/ladder/etc, reassuring and encouraging her throughout this process by speaking to her quietly. Like any conscious being, she'll "plug into" your positive regard for her, and while she won't understand the specific words you're saying, she _will_ understand when you're happy and excited about something she's done well. Like many Falconers working with wild-trapped hunters, you'll likely have "introduced" her to the hood as soon as you had her out of the clam-shell trap. Take. Your. Time. There is no rush. The goal - always - is to *win* her trust. Asking a bird-of-prey to surrender their eyesight is a BIG ask, particularly for a being who was making her own way in the wild without a human's help. As she becomes accustomed-to and accepting-of the environs around your home and her mews, (be they indoors or outdoors), expand your horizons - without rushing. If you own property, or have a neighbour who's happy to let you walk through their forest, or along the shore of their river, etc, let your Companion see this area, and become familiar with it. This is her "home-base" - you want her to know where she is safe. If you intend to practice mounted Falconry - from horseback, or even an ATV, start introducing your Feathered-one to your horses - from a distance, at first. Let her see the saddles, show her a brush, let her stand on the fence overlooking the paddock and stables, etc. If you'll be using an ATV to ride on, again, let her see it from a distance - at first. Eventually let her stand on it (while she's tied off to your gauntlet). You're looking for body-language which basically says "Yep, I've got it...anything else to do around here?". That is, instead of intensely focusing on something like your horses, or the wheels on your ATV, she's looking around, "popping" her head, and ignoring both you _and_ the thing you're introducing her to - which is *good*. It means she's unbothered by whatever it is you've been showing her. The key - always - is to have the utmost patience for her *natural* fear of a day-to-day world you take for granted. A wonderfully insightful book I'd encourage you to pick up is "The Art of Horsemanship" by Xenophon, the man who taught Alexander the Great everything he knew about mounted warfare. In this text, Xenophon teaches you how to choose your war-horse, but most significantly, how to help your young colt to overcome its natural, innate fears. The perspectives are worth familiarizing yourself with. Xenophon introduces you to the concept of "firm empathy" - the idea and *need* for your to understand your companion's fear, and how to lead them *_through_* that fear. I feel you'll gain some surprising perspectives from this ancient, _ancient_ text. Finally, I'd encourage you to be creative in how you and your wild Companion progress through the manning process. If she accepts a blue ATV, but loses her mind when she sees a green ATV, start wearing green - a lot. If she doesn't mind white horses, but bates like mad when she sees black horses, take her places where - from a distance at first - all she can see are black, or dark-coloured, horses. She'll learn to lean into your strength and encouragement as she sees *you* aren't afraid, and you'll _win_ her...which is the goal on which every other achievement the two of you obtain together _must_ be founded." I hope this gives you a little picture into manning. please let us know if you have anymore questions, we'd be happy to answer them or even create a whole episode around it! Have a wonderful day :) -Leah

The Falcon Lady well!! Big thanks for give me goodness knowledge....

Good morning Agha; Thank you for the fantastic question - I'm glad to offer an insight or two. You'll likely be aware of the reality a wild-trapped raptor is going to find everything "human related" wildly bizarre, intimidating, foreign and, (frankly), frightening. Naturally this means their reactivity to literally *_everything_* about your human world is going to be "hair trigger" in nature - the last thing a wild creature "wants" is to be anywhere near a human being...thus this naturally means your wild-trapped Companion will need the _utmost_ in empathy and patience from you. In the broadest terms, the manning process for your juvenile (passage) falcon/hawk/eagle is the same as that for a captive-bred, parent-reared bird-of-prey. This said - as you've all ready guessed, some improvisation will be needed. Your Companion's initial terror of _you_ is the first hurdle to overcome; your 'manning' efforts in the first few days to as much as a couple of weeks will necessarily shrink down to just getting her to consent to stepping up onto your gauntlet, sitting quietly with her for as long as she'll allow it, (hours, if you can), and speaking to her with encouragement and empathy. Remember: Take. Your. Time. There is *_no_* rush. If she's progressing well, (ie: accepting the invitation to step up onto the glove, feeding from your glove readily, allowing you to walk her around the house), graduate to the area in your garden. Allow her to study things which cause her to bate off the gauntlet from a distance, then - gradually, get closer and closer until she's next to the bicycle/dog/ladder/etc, reassuring and encouraging her throughout this process by speaking to her quietly. Like any conscious being, she'll "plug into" your positive regard for her, and while she won't understand the specific words you're saying, she _will_ understand when you're happy and excited about something she's done well. Like many Falconers working with wild-trapped hunters, you'll likely have "introduced" her to the hood as soon as you had her out of the clam-shell trap. Now is a *really* good time to back up, and re-introduce her to hooding on _her_ terms; sit quietly outside (weather permitting), let her see and study the hood. She may well bate when you show it to her, and this is to be expected as - right now - in her mind, the hood is "a bad thing". We have a short hooding video which will be posted quite soon, however to give you a thought or two on offering the hood to your Companion, what I've found works is to gently stroke their breast with the 'chin-strap' of the hood (so the falcon/hawk is looking down into the hood). She's likely to repeatedly bate, at which point its often best to stop the lesson after a minute or two if she's exhausting herself with fright. Go for a short walk around your garden, then sit in a new location, and try again with the hood until she'll at least allow your to stroke her with it without getting upset. If you get this far, *gently* slide the hood onto her head, and (in your mind) count "One-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand", then gently take the hood off again, and fade it away, (palm it with your hooding-hand, or "hide" it behind your back for a minute). Repeat this several times with the goal of getting to a count of "...ten-one-thousand". Take. Your. Time. There is no rush. If she won't tolerate the hood for more than a couple of seconds, that's entirely fine. The goal - always - is to *win* her trust. Asking a bird-of-prey to surrender their eyesight is a BIG ask, particularly for a being who was making her own way in the wild without a human's help. As she becomes accustomed-to and accepting-of the environs around your home and her mews, (be they indoors or outdoors), expand your horizons - without rushing. If you own property, or have a neighbour who's happy to let you walk through their forest, or along the shore of their river, etc, let your Companion see this area, and become familiar with it. This is her "home-base" - you want her to know where she is safe. If you intend to practice mounted Falconry - from horseback, or even an ATV, start introducing your Feathered-one to your horses - from a distance, at first. Let her see the saddles, show her a brush, let her stand on the fence overlooking the paddock and stables, etc. If you'll be using an ATV to ride on, again, let her see it from a distance - at first. Eventually let her stand on it (while she's tied off to your gauntlet). You're looking for body-language which basically says "Yep, I've got it...anything else to do around here?". That is, instead of intensely focusing on something like your horses, or the wheels on your ATV, she's looking around, "popping" her head, and ignoring both you _and_ the thing you're introducing her to - which is *good*. It means she's unbothered by whatever it is you've been showing her. The key - always - is to have the utmost patience for her *natural* fear of a day-to-day world you take for granted. A wonderfully insightful book I'd encourage you to pick up is "The Art of Horsemanship" by Xenophon, the man who taught Alexander the Great everything he knew about mounted warfare. In this text, Xenophon teaches you how to choose your war-horse, but most significantly, how to help your young colt to overcome its natural, innate fears. The perspectives are worth familiarizing yourself with. Xenophon introduces you to the concept of "firm empathy" - the idea and *need* for your to understand your companion's fear, and how to lead them *_through_* that fear. I feel you'll gain some surprising perspectives from this ancient, _ancient_ text. Finally, I'd encourage you to be creative in how you and your wild Companion progress through the manning process. If she accepts a blue ATV, but loses her mind when she sees a green ATV, start wearing green - a lot. If she doesn't mind white horses, but bates like mad when she sees black horses, take her places where - from a distance at first - all she can see are black, or dark-coloured, horses. She'll learn to lean into your strength and encouragement as she sees *you* aren't afraid, and you'll _win_ her...which is the goal on which every other achievement the two of you obtain together _must_ be founded. Thanks again for the wonderful question Agha - please let us know how things progress with your Companion, and send us some photos of the two of you! Best, Jo

@@TheFalconLady thank you really very much for such a detailed response. I'd surely keep all this in mind and sorry i dont have a y bird yet but I'm definitely planning to learn falconry and i enjoy ur videos a lot.. thanks again..appreciated.

@@TheFalconLady wow very detailed and informative answers..as always! Thank you for sharing so willingly your experience and many years of collective knowledge, which we as beginners and fans would otherwise not have access to. The more we learn, the better we do for ourselves , the feathered ones and for this incredible sport.

Good evening A_B604; Interesting "handle"...anything to do with the 604 area code...? In any case, Falconry is not a hobby. This is an ancient Art-form dating back more than 8000 years...it requires considerable commitment from you, and considerable dedication to the acquisition of knowledge and training from individuals with many, many, _many_ years of experience. To be specific, I mean individuals with decades of knowledge, handling-experience, and multifaceted skill sets. This means you'll have to be willing to undertake travel to gain your core-skills, it means you'll have to observe your mentors working with their feathered-ones and be willing to ask good questions - and equally willing to deeply listen to the answers you're offered. It also means you must be willing to read a great deal on the subject...the first text I'd recommend in this regard would be the "bible" of Falconry, namely, "The Art of Falconry" by King Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. Falconry isn't something we undertake when we've binge-watched everything on Netflix, and we're wondering what "fun thing" we can fill our time with this summer. To take on a falcon, hawk, or buzzard, is to make a solemn commitment to a *fragile* living being. If you're looking for a hobby, there are innumerable options open to you. ...Falconry is not on that list. Best, Jo

The Falcon Lady i agreed but considering hatchlings of a hawk have a low survival rate it would be a great honor to nuture one and tame it then release it back into the wild once its been taught to hunt and sustain its one self