Broken talon

[macca]

Hi everyone i am from England and my 19 week old female Harris hawk has broke her inner front right talon off the bone and severed her bottom tendon. Has any member ever flew there hawk at quarry with a talon or toe missing. If so how did they get on. P.S great site I'm well impressed

[Weasel]

My sponsors bird had lost the use of it's middle toe or #3. She still flies quite well on squirrels to this day. I'm not sure what will happen in your case as she has lost a crucial talon being the #2 talon. I do know a guy who manufactured a false talon for his bird, but this was only since he had a small amount of talon left to attach a metal fabricated one to. Is there any chance you could send a picture of this?
Weasel

[Falcon Boy]

I have seen a female harris flown that had lost 2 toes to frostbite, and it still nailed rabbits.

[Jay]

I have seen a Female Harris who lost one still nailed pheasant, rabbits, and squirrel.

[Tuor]

it should be ok, but you should watch it carefull, to make sure it doesn't get infected. and have a vet check it out. If his is already done, then I'll shut up.

[macca]

Thanks for taking time out to answer my queries. I took her to the vets on Mon 03/10/05 and had her x rayed she is on antibiotics for 7 days and the x rays have been sent off to a specialist. The talon doesn't seem to bother her at all while she is being manned it just seems to get in the way

[Weasel]

For all the Americans .....3/10/05 to us is 10/3/05

[Tuor]

ok, at least your hawk doesn't seemed bothered by it, yet. I think that the talon should grow back in time. Unless the squirrel bit to far up on it.

[macca]

It wasnt a squirrel bite she did it her self bating it wont grow back because it has broken off the bone

[Tuor]

ah. I see. Well, my advice is exhausted here.

[jfseaman]

One of the birds I help with has a missing primary tallon. I'm told he still hunts. We'll find out in about a month as the season gets going.

[Falcon Boy]

Any chance of a picture? Just courious as to what it looks like

[jfseaman]

I'll try to remember tomorrow about the picture.

[jfseaman]

admin said:

Any chance of a picture? Just courious as to what it looks like

Got the picture.

This birds name is Guiness becase as a Harlans he looks like a pint of that wonderful brown stuff.

We were talking about Guiness' hunting schedule for the winter and it reminded me to get the picture.

He does fine according to the other falconers.

[birdguy888]

When you said "inner" toe I was absolutely afraid that it was the first toe. This bird needs to go into an educational program. Hawks/buzzards/eagles/owls use their first toe and their halux to stab their prey to death. Without this invaluable talon, the bird cannot sufficently kill its prey and would be more apt to be attacked/bitten by its prey wich can cause some more severe problems. Cut your loss, put the bird into an educational program and get another bird. It isn't worth risking the birds health for anything!