Birds of Prey
Raptors vary in their hunting behaviour, flying style and the habitat they live in. All animals including raptors need species specific conditions to survive. Some birds of prey such as hawks and kites are opportunistic feeders exploiting abundant food areas after fire.
The name Raptor is derived from a Latin term raptare, meaning to seize and carry away. This describes a style of hunting common among bird of prey. The term Raptor is applied generally to diurnal bird of prey and nocturnal species of owl worldwide.
An increasing amount of evidence based on DNA research shows that plovers, pelicans, storks and seabirds are the diurnal raptors closest relatives. Each group of diurnal bird of prey are quite distinctive and have been given an ordinal ranking. Sibley and Ahlquist (1990).
Raptors such as New World Vultures and Condors make a sound described as a hiss grunt..
Vulture’s feed on carrion and Condors prefer large mammal prey and carrion, they also feed on smaller animals such as squirrels. The end of a condor’s thick U shaped tongue has a trough on the upper side and the edges of the tongue have thick backward facing spines that move the food back towards the throat.
The Vulture and Condor, Osprey, Hawks and Kites, the unique Secretary Bird and Caracaras and Falcons have all been studied to determine their taxonomy.
Ornithologists separate raptors into family groups to more accurately describe their shared characteristics such as; a fleshy cere across the beak, powerful feet and sharp talons used for grasping prey, strong legs and a hooked beak.
Birds of Prey need to consume whole animals that provide at least 50% of their nutritional and energy requirements. A bird of prey has a crop above the breast where it stores freshly eaten food, where indigestible material such as bone and fur etc are then regurgitated in pellet form. These pellets are referred to as castings. A healthy of bird of prey produces dry well formed castings.
Raptors have exceptional eyesight, many hunt with speed and agility in flight. Some bird of prey like the Condor soar high on the thermals to search for food These attributes set this group of bird specialists apart from many others.
Wildlife professional who work with birds of prey realise how important it is to use best practice handling techniques. Specialist knowledge and skill is required before working with any animal including raptors.
Do you have the right permits, animal ethics, legal approvals and facilities for these birds. Raptors are not pets they are wild animals and need appropriate housing, training and /or rehabilitation for release. Always check with your local wildlife authority to make sure you are prepared.
CLICK HERE FOR A DVD TRAINING PROGRAMME ON RAPTOR HANDLING.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) produces internationally recognised guideline in conjunction with CITES for transportation of all animals including raptors.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered species (CITES) and the IUCN (Red List) decide the status of species and whether they are threatened, rare, vulnerable endangered etc.
A transport container for raptors needs ventilation holes placed around the lower half on all sides of the container, approximately 10cm above the internal floor height and about 7.5cm apart.
Construct the transport container at least 30cm longer and wider than the length of the bird from beak tip to tail tip and at least 15cm over the head area for a standing bird.
A perch for a bird of prey can be constructed from a block of wood that is a sufficient size to provide the bird with a firm grip and be firmly fixed to the floor of the container.
Use a non-loop artificial grass to securely line the base of the container allowing a firm foot hold.
The door to the container requires a hinge or sliding door/lid on the top side of the container.
The door/lid must be secure during transportation.
Always clearly label the transport container 'LIVE ANIMAL, HANDLE WITH CARE, THIS WAY UP, KEEP COOL'. Transport one raptor per container, the only exception to this is young fledglings from the same nest.
Always consult IATA Live Animal Regulations for current transportation guidelines.
Prior to a veterinary check devise a raptor handling plan. Watch the bird and the position it is in. Choose a safe position to make the first contact or initial capture.
Be prepared for defensive behaviour such as raising hackles, footing, biting and the possibility of some birds flipping on their backs and presenting their talons.
Prepare for this behaviour with a pair of thick leather gloves specifically for the bird to foot.
One person should be assigned the bird capture role and the other the role of securing a towel or bag net over the birds head and shoulders. Review the DVD vision we show you how this is done.
Smaller raptors may only require one person to capture and restrain. Birds like Hobby, Kestrel, Sparrow hawk etc can be held in a pigeon grip and then placed in a transportation container.
Wings and talons must be secured at all times.
Special raptor handling considerations Cover the bird’s head to reduce stress during a capture and handling procedure. Incorporate the capture and/ or husbandry procedure during routine activity times early in the day. Ensure the feet are secured and the wings are held against the body in a position that will not harm the bird or personnel undertaking the procedure.
Use a hood or a large falconry glove to cover the head before any other procedure is started.
Ensure all appropriate quarantine and zoonosis risks are prepared for i.e. blood collection, quarantine etc.
If the raptor is a wild capture and has an unknown disease status make sure the bird under goes a quarantine period to avoid introducing disease.
Birds of Prey in Australia Raptors in Australia are held under various types of special license.
In Western Australia wildlife conservation License Regulation 16 gives licensed institutions and individuals a legal permit to hold raptors for education and or rehabilitation purposes.
Check your local Wildlife Authority regarding the permits you need.
In Australia you can not keep a Raptor or bird of prey as a pet.
Licensed Australian institutions fly raptors for public education and rehabilitation purposes using falconry techniques.
However, in Australia falconry is not practised as a sport, as falconry is illegal.
Some organisations use falconry techniques to rehabilitate raptor species such as Peregrine and Little Falcon. Other raptors can be rehabilitated in very large flight aviaries. Captive Raptor Management & Rehabilitation 2004 Naisbitt & Holz provides information about rehabilitation options.
Learn more about which species require peak fitness and stooping practise. Choose the right rehabilitation method before release. Increased cardio respiratory endurance and success in catching prey ensures raptors are skilled hunters who survive their rehabilitation and release program.
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