Bird Age for training

[Bruce]

Hello There,

Can anyone tell me if there is an age limit that you can train a raptor. I think the younger they are the better, but is it possible or a good idea to train an older bird. I am interested in taking up falconry and getting my first bird. I work at a small zoo in Canada and we have some older birds (2 -5 yrs) in our collection already that I wonder if I can train. Hope to be able to use them for educational flying demonstrations as well as possible pest control in the future. Have taken a 5 day beginner falconry course and hope to get my Falconry permit soon. We have contracted out the educational demonstrations in the past but wish to do it ourselves in the future.

[Yarak]

You said it yourself "the younger the better". Yes you can train an older bird. It will take more time and the bird will not be as reliable. Weight management and positive reinforcement will be crucial. Idiosyncrasies will be more apparent, the "personality" will be hard wired by that time. I hope it does not prove too frustrating.
Yarak

[Bruce]

Thanks for the insight Yarak. Patience is my strong suit so I think I will be able to do it. We are also looking into purchasing other birds young so I hope we will be able to get a good mix of personalities and species.