Owning a hawk or falcon in the UK requires obtaining the proper licenses and permits, as well as having suitable facilities to house and care for the bird. While it is legal to own a hawk in the UK with the right authorizations, the process is heavily regulated and requires a significant commitment of time, resources, and dedication to provide for the hawk’s specialized needs.
Is it legal to own a hawk in the UK?
Yes, it is legal to own a hawk in the UK with the proper licenses and permits. Hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To legally own a hawk in the UK, you must:
- Obtain a Article 10 Certificate of Registration from your local authority
- Pass an inspection of your facilities by a vet or authorized inspector
- Obtain ringing and marking permits from DEFRA
- Report details of the bird to your local authority
The application process for these licenses can take several weeks or months, so patience is required. The authorities want to ensure anyone keeping a hawk has the proper facilities, resources, time, and experience to humanely care for it.
What types of hawks can I own in the UK?
The most common hawk species kept in the UK include:
- Harris’s Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Goshawk
- Common Buzzard
These species do well in captivity when properly cared for. More exotic species like golden eagles, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons are rare as pets due to the difficulty of providing suitable care.
Where can I obtain a hawk in the UK?
There are a few options for obtaining a hawk in the UK:
- Purchase from a reputable breeder – Most hawk owners get their birds as captively bred birds from breeders. This ensures the bird is accustomed to humans and captivity from a young age.
- Adopt from a rescue/rehabilitation center – Sometimes rehabilitation centers have hawks that cannot be released back to the wild due to injuries. Adopting can provide a good home.
- Import – With proper permits, some species can be imported into the UK by working with international breeders. However, strict quarantine rules apply.
- Capture from the wild – Taking hawks from the wild is illegal without a special license for educational or breeding purposes.
When searching for a hawk breeder, be sure to find one that is experienced, licensed, and responsible. Avoid buying from unverified sellers.
What are the costs of owning a hawk in the UK?
Owning a hawk is an expensive endeavor. Some costs to factor in include:
- Purchase price – $200-$3,000 depending on species and source
- Housing – Minimum of a 8x8x8 foot aviary or weathering yard ($1,000+)
- Equipment – Jesses, leashes, telemetry trackers, baths, perches, etc ($500+)
- Vet bills – Annual exams, emergency care ($200-$1000)
- Food – Chicks, rats, or other prey items ($100-$300/month)
- Enrichment – Toys, training treats ($50/month)
- Training – Optional but recommended ($100+/session)
- Licensing – Annual renewal fees ($50-$100)
The first year expenses alone, including housing and equipment, can easily exceed $5,000. Ongoing costs add up as well so owners must have steady income to care for a hawk for potentially 15-20 years.
What facilities and housing are needed?
Hawks require specialized housing that allows them to perch, fly, and engage in natural behaviors. The minimum recommendations are:
- An aviary or weathering area at least 8 feet on each side, with a double door entryway
- A sheltered area to protect from wind, rain, and sun
- Perches at various heights made from natural wood
- Materials for bathing like a kiddie pool
- Outdoor perches for natural sunlight
- A rotational system for cleaning and disinfecting
- Secure locks and roofing to prevent escape
The hawk housing should provide clean, dry, secure conditions at all times. Housing must pass inspection before obtaining licenses. Some falconers also build specially designed mews.
What kind of care do hawks require?
Caring for a hawk requires dedication, time, resources, and education on the bird’s needs:
- A consistent daily routine and training program
- A proper carnivorous diet like chicks, rats, quail etc
- Regular bathing and offerings for feather maintenance
- Plenty of time flying outdoors for exercise
- Cleaning and disinfecting housing weekly or biweekly
- Regular beak, feet, and claw trimming as needed
- Annual vet exams and immediate treatment of any injuries or illness
- A stimulating environment with toys, training, and socialization
- Adhering to licensing requirements like numbering rings
It takes extensive research and preparation to understand how to properly care for a hawk’s complex needs in captivity. Working with an experienced falconer or trainer is advisable.
Are there any laws on keeping hawks?
There are strict laws surrounding keeping and using hawks in the UK:
- Must obtain Article 10 Certificate of Registration from local authority
- Housing, facilities and care must meet standards inspected by vet and local authority
- Ringing, marking, and reporting requirements
- Usage limited to licensed activities like falconry
- Transportation, sales, transfers require permits
- Mandatory five year old falconry assessment
- Licensing, reporting, and inspections renewable annually
- Penalties include confiscation, bans, and fines for violations
Authorities closely monitor those keeping hawks. Licenses can be denied or revoked if at any point the requirements cannot be met. Falconry and display are legal uses but require further licensing. Selling hawks for profit, hunting game, or releasing are prohibited without specific permits.
What are the pros and cons of owning a hawk in the UK?
**Pros:**
- Opportunity to work closely with a beautiful, skilled bird of prey
- Practice historic sport of falconry
- Demonstrate raptor behaviors in educational displays
- Contribute to conservation efforts for the species
**Cons:**
- Extremely expensive to obtain and care for properly
- Requires major commitment of time and effort every day
- Not a pet – hawks have specialized handling requirements
- Need outdoor facilities even in poor weather
- Risk of injury handling large, powerful birds
- Permits and licenses require regulatory compliance
- Need veterinary care from specialized raptor veterinarians
- May need to end care if unable to meet hawk’s needs
For the right individual with proper facilities and falconry experience, a hawk can be a rewarding lifelong companion. However, casual ownership is not realistic due to the hawk’s complex requirements. Extensive research and planning is required before pursuing hawk ownership.
Conclusion
Owning a hawk in the UK is legal with the proper licenses, facilities, resources and dedication to the bird’s specialized care. While a rewarding experience for experienced falconry enthusiasts, hawk ownership requires major commitments of time, money, effort and lifestyle adjustments. Casual ownership is not realistic or ethical. Those interested must thoroughly research raptor care while securing necessary licenses and permits before obtaining a hawk. With proper planning and responsible facilities, a hawk can have a high quality of life in captivity while serving as an ambassador for its species. Strict regulations serve to protect both the birds’ welfare and the continuation of falconry heritage.
