Falconry - "The husbandry, caring for and hunting with birds of prey."

The vast majority of falconry photographs have been taken at the family run birds of prey park called 'Falconcrest' in Eindhoven the Netherlands. This is where I learned what it takes to be a falconer and got a greater appreciation for birds or prey. Falconcrest is also the only falconry in the Netherlands that manufactures (and uses) traditional Dutch falconry equipment.

Falconcrest

Falconcrest logoFalconcrest Falconry
Eindhovenseweg 44
5633 BE EIndhoven
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)40 212 0 111
www.falconcrest.eu

Extreme Falconry

Extreme Falconry logoExtreme Falconry
Beechwood Cottage
Marshwood
Bridport
Dorset - DT6 5QJ
Tel: +44 (0)1297 678194
www.xtremefalconry.co.uk/

Steppe Eagle

Steppe Eagle

Steppe Eagle

A bird of prey from the family of eagles, however with rather un-eagle behaviour

Steppe Eagle Info

Aquila nipalensis

Buzzard

Buzzard

European Buzzard

Despite its large size, buzzards are not major predators. earthworms, frogs and anything killed larger than a pigeon was probably ill.

European Buzzard Info

Buteo buteo

Harris Hawk

Harris Hawk

Harris Hawk

Like wolves, these hawks hunt in packs. Social or coordinated group hunting is extremely uncommon for birds of prey.

Harris Hawk Info

Parabuteo unicinctus

Eagle Owl

Eagle Owl

European Eagle Owl

The eurasian eagle owl is one of the largest owl species and spread over vast areas from europe to asia.

Eagle Owl Info

Bubo bubo

Boobook Owl

Boobook Owl

BooBook Owl

The smallest and most common owl species of Australia. The name comes from the typical sound they make.

Boobook Owl Info

Ninox novaeseelandiae

Chilean Eagle

Chilean Eagle

Chilean Eagle

It looks kinda like an eagle but has many traits typical of a buzzard. With the proper name of 'Black-chested Buzzard Eagle'.

Chilean Eagle Info

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

American Bald Eagle

It's not bald, the name is derived from 'white headed'. Symbol of America because it lives so long (30+ years).

Bald Eagle Info

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Perigrine Falcon

One of the fastest birds of prey on the planet. also known in America as the duck hawk.

Perigrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Ferruginous Hawk

Ferruginous Hawk

Ferruginous Hawk

From the Latin name 'royal hawk', the Dutch refer to it as the 'kings buzzard'.

Ferruginous Hawk

Buteo regalis

White Barn Owl

White Barn Owl

Pale Barn Owl

The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed owl species on the globe.

Barn Owl Info

Tyto alba

Snowy Owls

Snowy Owls

Snowy Owls

This large Owl is the national bird of Quebec. It's white plumage is perfect arctic camouflage.

Snowy Owl Info

Bubo scandiacus

Falconry Equipment

Falconry Equipment

Falconry Equipment

Falconcrest - Home of traditional Dutch falconry equipment manufacturing.

Falconry Equipment

Falconcrest Falconry Equipment

Black Barn Owl

Black Barn Owl

Dark Barn Owl

Northern Barn Owls are a lot paler or lighter in colour that Barn Owls from the South.

Barn Owl Info

Tyto alba

Lapland Owl

Lapland Owl

Lapland Owl

Or Great Grey Owl, it's flat face act like a sound radar dish to guide sounds to its ears.

Lapland Owl Info

Strix nebulosa

American Kestrel

American Kestrel - Jeroen Steeman

American Kestrel

Also known as the sparrow hawk is a very colourfull small kestrel from North America.

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Snowy Owl Claws

Snowy Owl Claws

Snowy Owl Info

The Ghost Owl. With white plumage it has the perfect camouflage for artic hunting.

Snowy Owl Info

Bubo scandiacus

Little Owl

Little Owl

Little Owl

Not the smallest owl on the globe, but a small owl anyway. It can bark like a dog.

Little Owl Info

Athene noctua

Gyr Falcon

Gyr Falcon

Gyr Falcon

The largest of the falcon species on earth. It is the official bird of the Canadian Northern Terretories.

Gyr Falconl Info

Falco rusticolus

Little Owls

Little Owls

Little Owls

Found in the warmer parts of Europe all the way through Asia, with 13 recognized different races.

Little Owl Info

Athene noctua

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl

Snow Owl

A Northern hemisphere artic and tundra bird of prey. A nomadic bird that follows its prey.

Snow Owl Info

Bubo scandiacus

Crested Caracara

Crested Caracara

Crested Caracara

Found in the mid-Americas, these birds of prey are more scavenger than hunter.

Crested Caracara Info

Caracara plancus

Lanner Falcon

Lanner Falcon

Lanner Falcon

The lanner prefers horizonal speed attacks as opposed to the stoop down from a height. like most other falcons.

Lanner Falcon Info

Falco biarmicus

Kite

Kite

Red Kite

Kites are scavenger hunters, they hunt small mammals and reptiles but will also feed on carcasses of sheep or dead birds.

Red Kite Info

Milvus milvus

Vulture

Vulture

Vulture

Vultures are scavengers and feed the carcasses of dead animals. Research shows different species of vultures have little in common.

Vulture Info

Gyps fulvus

Jeroen Steeman - Bald Eagle

In gratitude to passionate falconers

A special thanks goes out the the Lenders family in Eindhoven, owners of Falconcrest Falconry, for providing wisdom, insight and the fundamental comprehension and understanding of carnivorous birds. Their dedication and passion for falconry, care for endangered species, global breeding programs, ensuring the strength of captive breeding stock and the active preservation of the ancient craftmanship of traditional Dutch falconry equipment is astounding and inspirering.

Martin Ballam, owner of Extreme Falconry in the UK. Providing educational birds of prey and falconry displays throughout the UK. Active with international birds of prey preservation concerns and breeding programs. A passionate falconer with an extensive knowledge of birds of prey, with an exceptional and inspiring way of sharing his knowledge of birds of prey with everyone who has an interest in this extraordinary relation between birds of prey and humans. The only falconry I know who breeds African vultures in captivity.

 

 

 

 

More detailed information on birds of prey can be found on the Birds of prey information page

Some information on falconry hoods, there purpose and designs are available on the Falconry Hoods page.

A low budget electronics RF project for falconry in the category falconry equipment is located at Smart Falconry Telemetry - Small low power MCU controlled RF telemetry transceiver for tracking birds of prey on the wing.