illegal?

[harrishawk807]

hey iw as wondering if cara caras were legal for falconry and common black hawks

[Weasel]

I don't beleive the Caracara is, but there would be little reason to use one even if it where legal. As for the common black hawk. Same goes for this one...not sure if you mean the great black hawk. This one is a non native species to the US and can be used for falconry according to Dave Mancinni's web site. He sells captive bred GBH's.....but they are like $3000 a piece. Neither of the species you listed may be trapped from the wild.

[harrishawk807]

well im not sure i got a falcon book but it might be outa date i also wanted if the northern harrier was legal and if it is a good bird to fly

[Ooby]

cara cara's are considered native to the US?

If they aren't i don't see why you wouldn't be able to fly one, although WHY you would want to is beyond me.

[Minca]

Cara Cara's do occur this side of the Mexican border, so they are listed as native, but they're about a common if not less than Aplomados which would lead me to believe it would not be legal to trap them. As for Common Black Hawks, I would check with you state, but i think they are in a similar situation. It's my understanding that Cara Cara's are more scavengers than hunters and the Black Hawks have small feet and usually hunt lizards and mice, inferior hunters compared to Redtails. I wouldn't want either for falconry, although a black hawk would be cool to see flown in an Ed program. ;D

I read that Black Hawks are known for soaring with vultures in an effort to blend in and not be recognized as a predator to their prey, then stoop at their quarry when they see it. Can anyone attest to this?

[Tiercel78]

Aplomados are a lot harder to find than CaraCaras. CaraCaras are quite plentiful in Southren Texas. There is also a CaraCaras in Southren Florida though not as many. These birds do eat a lot of carrion but they also hunt fairly well too. They also use tools to catch prey, like using sticks to drive out cotton rats. They are smart like ravens but with powerful feet. They often use those powerful feet to kick Vultrues of road kill. I've seen 15 vultures waiting for one CaraCara to finish eating. As far as a falconry bird there are better choices. Most are already listed but here is onemore. They aren't very fast flyers.

As far as mimicing Vultures the Zone Tailed Hawk fits the bill better than the Great Black Hawk. though since I'm not current with the GBH I won't say that it dosen't.

Each state has thier own bird usage list for Falconry birds. Best idea is to ask your state what birds are allowable.


There is one bird that I wouldn't mind see getting added to the Tx take list . That would be the White Tailed Hawk. I belive that that bird could be a good asset.

[rt]

Dave Mancinni is my sponcer and I have seen those black hawks up close, they are a wild looking bird.

[falconess]

I had a freind say he trapped a harrier and flew it for awhile. Some of the most arial beutos I have ever seen but they are very light and don't have much punch in their footing power, stricly very small game birds not much good for falconry.