The acquisition of any kind of raptorial bird carries with it much the same commitment to any regular attention as does the ownership of more familiar pet animals such as a cat or dog. Actually the minimal requirements of birds of prey are somewhat less, especially during periods where they are not being flown or trained, as, say, during the molt. Any raptor too, even small species like kestrel or sharpshin, can with no harm at all, go without food for forty-eight hours, and larger species much longer, to three or four days. The keeping of a hawk or falcon therefore permits rather more casual off-season care than more other domestic animals require.
Still, the proper care of raptors while neither difficult nor demanding is definitely different. Small downies--the kind of very young bird I have recommended should not be taken, especially by a novice--if taken, require for a time an external source of heat. Deprived of this they tend to chill and then they either die or, worse, develop cramp and grow with the bones all twisted and gnarled, usually unable to stand or walk, let alone fly. Past this stage, with their second coat of deep insulating down well grown, they become one of the easiest of all young birds to raise to flying age. Such young have but four basic requirements: first, protection from all those things which like to kill and eat, or just kill, young birds--from cats to kids to malicious adults; second, protection from weather--wind, rain, and direct sun; third, space sufficient to spread and exercise their wings; fourth, one, or with smaller species, two, good feedings of easily digested nutritious animal protein each day. |
