Hawks, like all birds of prey, require patience and skill to train. However, some species tend to be easier to work with than others. When evaluating which hawks are the easiest to train, several key factors should be considered:
The Cooper’s Hawk
Many falconers recommend the Cooper’s hawk as one of the best species for beginners. Here are some of the reasons why Cooper’s hawks can make good starter birds:
- They are medium-sized hawks, so they are not too tiny and fragile but also not so big as to be intimidating or dangerous for novice handlers.
- Cooper’s hawks are one of the most widely distributed hawk species, so they are readily available in many areas.
- While every bird has its own individual personality, Cooper’s hawks tend to be relatively calm in temperament compared to some species.
- They are agile fliers and effective hunters, so they can be satisfying birds to train for hunting.
- Their natural diet of small birds and mammals means they can be trained to pursue common quarry species.
The combination of their availability, medium size, and generally calm disposition makes Cooper’s hawks a frequent first choice. However, even within this species there will be individual variability in terms of temperament.
The Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-tailed hawks are another popular choice for beginner falconers. Here’s a look at some of their advantages:
- Red-tails are one of the most widely distributed hawk species in North America, so they are easy to obtain.
- They are larger birds, which makes them easier to handle and less delicate.
- While every bird is an individual, red-tails tend to be relatively calm in temperament.
- Their larger size allows them to be trained for larger quarry like rabbits and ducks.
- As common raptors, information and mentorship for training red-tailed hawks is readily available.
The red-tailed hawk’s reputation for having a steady disposition and being less high-strung than some species often makes them a primary recommendation for the first-time falconer.
The Harris’s Hawk
Harris’s hawks are an interesting choice often suggested for beginners because they have some unique qualities:
- They are social hawks that live and hunt in groups in the wild, so they may be more tolerant of human company.
- Their social nature sometimes translates to a good-natured temperament compared to solitary hawks.
- There are indications Harris’s hawks may be easier to train and fly for free flight hunting.
- Their group-hunting skills can allow an experienced falconer to fly multiple Harris’s hawks together.
The Harris’s hawk’s social tendencies can make them responsive to training and eager to work cooperatively with their falconer. However, personality still varies between individual birds.
What Makes a Hawk Easy to Train?
When evaluating the ease of training any raptor, some key considerations include:
- Temperament – The hawk’s basic personality and disposition affects how they respond to training. A calmer bird is often easier.
- Trust – How well the bird bonds with and trusts the falconer also influences trainability.
- Food motivation – A hawk that has high food motivation and desire to chase lures can be very responsive.
- Natural instincts – A species’ natural hunting behaviors in the wild can translate to how readily they take to training.
- Mentorship – Having guidance from an experienced falconer well-versed in a species helps enormously.
Even within species known to be good for beginners, there will be variability between individual birds. A falconer’s dedication, skill, and relationship with the hawk plays a huge role in successfully training any raptor.
Other Considerations
Beyond behavior and temperament, there are some other factors to evaluate when choosing a first hawk:
- Size – Smaller hawks pose less safety risk and are easier to manage for beginners. But very tiny species can be delicate.
- Availability – Choosing a native species that is common in your area makes obtaining a bird much easier.
- Care requirements – Species with specialized housing or dietary needs can pose greater challenges.
- Legal restrictions – Some states may prohibit ownership of certain species or require permits.
- Cost – The expense of purchasing the bird as well as care/housing needs should fit your current budget.
Being realistic about your current skill level and resources as a falconer can help guide you to an appropriate first hawk species.
Best Practices for Training Hawks
Once you’ve chosen a suitable hawk species, there are some best practices falconers recommend for training:
- Work with an experienced mentor or sponsor if at all possible when starting out.
- Read up on the species you are working with so you understand their behaviors and traits.
- Be patient and work at the hawk’s pace, never forcing interactions or training.
- Establish trust through regular gentle handling and positive interactions.
- Use appetitive rewards to encourage and reinforce desired behaviors.
- Pay very close attention to your hawk’s signals and moods during training.
- Always end sessions on a positive note to avoid frustration for the hawk.
- Provide proper housing, equipment, nutrition, and healthcare for your raptor.
- Obtain all required licenses, permits, and vet care to legally own your hawk.
Raptor training requires dedication, study, and an ethical approach. But the bond formed with a hawk through careful training is immensely rewarding.
Conclusion
For a beginner falconer, starting with a raptor species known for having a steady disposition and good trainability increases the chances of success. The Cooper’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, and Harris’s hawk are often recommended as good first hawks. However, even these “easy” species require a commitment to patience, persistence, and building mutual trust and understanding. Proper mentorship, housing, equipment, and care are also critical. An individual hawk’s personality can never be guaranteed, but choosing an appropriate starter species and dedicating yourself to astute positive training provides the best opportunity for rewarding raptor work.
