Falconry as Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Raptor Conservation

The next series of posts will be my take on falconry's role in raptor conservation. 

The Relationship between a Raptor and Falconer

 

     It was the morning of March 27, 2007 and Guinevere, my Red-tailed Hawk, expecting breakfast she gave me her usual high-pitched peeps but that morning was different. She was being released back into the wild. Without anklets and jesses, she stepped onto my fist freely as we walked out of her mews into the sunshine. Guinevere looked around and I leaned over

Kiss Good-bye

kissed her on the back of the head; ten seconds later she left my glove for the last time. As she had done so many times, she flew to the closest tree on the forest edge and waited for me to catch up. This time I did not follow her, instead I watched her through tears and binoculars. Looking back at me, confused and impatient, she gave up finally. After flying and circling over me, she was gone. I never saw her again but still have the feather she dropped as she disappeared.        

     Our relationship was just one example of many relationships that falconers have had with their birds throughout the history of falconry. This ancient practice has facilitated a unique relationship between raptors and humans through mutual respect and trust. For four thousand years, falconry has remained steeped in tradition and culture, consequently, it has been through this tradition and knowledge of raptor behavior and hunting techniques, the falconer has gained a rare glimpse into the natural history of this secretive predator.

Moment Together

 

Hawk

The true spirit of the hawk
With the energy of sun and fire
Is one of vision and power
The message of the hawk
Is to use our inner vision
To see what is out of balance within ourselves
And to use our power wisely and justly
To obtain the freedom we desire
Prose by Carol Cavalaris © 07

 

Introduction

     Falconry has had a long, historical thread in the conservation of raptors. Despite the controversy of using traditional ecological knowledge to solve ecological problems, raptor conservationists have been drawing on the traditional ecological knowledge of falconry and combining the knowledge gained from Western science to address raptor conservation issues. Indeed, many renowned raptor conservationists are falconers as well. In my own experience, my main motive to become a falconer was the opportunity to have a deeper connection with the animal I treasured and to add unique insight as a conservationist. My purpose here is to assemble the relationship between the traditional ecological knowledge of falconry and raptor conservation; that is, the lived experience of falconry helping raptors today. The relationship analysis will be addressed in three components: 1) traditional ecological knowledge, 2) falconry culture and traditions and 3) falconry within raptor conservation.