Indoor Hawk Perches

[Falcon Boy]

Well as we all have seen, hawks can shoot their mutes an amazing long way, unlike falcons which drop them straight down. Anyone have a design, other than putting newspaper or something under the perch and surrounding area, for mute control with hawks perched indoors? Ive seen pictures of hawks being kept near the corner, with plastic on the walls to catch the mutes. That looked good to me, but the bird was in the corner

[TheMeanPitBull]

That would be the best way FB cuz at the center i work at the flight trained birds are all against the wall u just wip of the mutes good luck m8

[alex2]

For Large hawks and falcons I would just keep them in the Mews or weathering area. Too much hassle.


For my kestrel I use this type of cadge design...



Basically its a tub filled with kitty litter. With a PVC pipe screen perch on top. Keeps the odor down and makes cleaning up very easy.

Tom savory, the one who came up with this type of design, use's his version for transporting his larger falcons.

[Falcon Boy]

I have seen many similiar designs like that for falcons, where kitty litter or a similiar thing is used. I am trying to develop a similiar perch design, but for small hawks [coop/sharpie size]

for my kbird, i just put an indoor block on a table covered in newspaper

[Minca]

I've seen backboards built for slices just a foot high or so and set back just far enough that the bird couldn't aim over it.

[hawkstir]

I've considered building a perch made from a cylinder (Sonotube, etc.: size to fit bird) Pad the top edge. Install shelf inside with a hole to pass the leash trough and then outside to tie off. Hawk rests on top edge with tail to the inside. I believe this perch is discribed by Nick Fox in his book Understanding Birds of Prey.

[Minca]

hmmm, I'd have to see a picture 'cause that just confused the livin' crap outa me.....

[hawkstir]

Sorry to hear that. I don't have a photo or drawing but I'm willing to try to discribe it better. A cylinder is a round hollow shape, like a pipe. Sono-tube is a brand of concrete form made of industrial cardboard about 1/2" thick. Cut to lenght and stand it on edge. Pad the edge with foam and or carpet. Cut a disk out of plywood to match the interior diameter with a small hole in the center to pass a leash thru. Install this disk inside the cylinder about 1 foot down from the top. Cut a hole in the side of the cylinder large enough for your hand below for mentioned disk. Attach a hook or clip to attach the leash to near the hand hole. When you perch your bird on the padded edge, pass the leash down thru the center hole, reach in the hand hole to and pull the leash out and tie off to hook. Make the leash snug enough that the bird can't turn around. Remember that its tail is to the inside of the cylinder. It will be able to move around the top edge. All the mutes should end up on the interior shelf which can be lined with paper. I hope this helps you visulize it better. Feel free to ask specific questions if you have any.

[Falcon Boy]

But when the hawk bends over to mute, wont it snap the tailfeathers, or it just pick up its tail over the concrete? What keeps a hawks tail inside of it? I just dont want tail feathers to snap

[hawkstir]

You need to size your perch to fit your bird. IE: min. 24" dia. for a redtail with the shelf down 12" from the top.

[Falcon Boy]

Maybe im just dumb, but wont the mutes still shoot over the other edge? My last redtail had about a 5ft range Maybe i just need a picture to understand LOL

[hawkstir]

As with anything, there is no perfect solution. I offered up an idea to be tried.

[Minca]

Ok, that sounds kinda like what an apprentice I knew up north did for her kestrel except it was a wicker basket (no handle) and a set length leash with a clip at the end that attached to an eyelet inside the basket. She stopped using it 'cause she thought it was harder to clean than just using a mini bow.
Ya, if you use something with a big enough diameter you don't have to worry about the tail, but the kestrel I had liked to turn around alot and I'm afraid she would've pulled her leash up tight and messed up her tail on that. She used to turn around on her little block perch wrapping the leash around the spike until she was tethered up tight to the end of her jesses. They had a set up at the zoo I used to work at for tethering the fergie where they used a truck tire that had two cables attatched to the bead and she was tethered to where they crossed in the center. It seemed to work well but I didn't like the idea of the smooth sidewall of the tire being her only perch.

[Falcon Boy]

my kestrel spun like a fiend too. I would have to un-tangle him a few times a day.

[alex2]

lol

ditto.....