Meet Freyja, My Peregrine Falcon

[chadcharb]

I just finished reading My Side of the Mountain to my 7 year old son. To say he's curious about birds of prey right now would be an understatement lol. Luckily we have an osprey nest pretty close by so he can watch them fly often. Can't wait to see your journey

 

[Button]

Love it.
I’ve always been intrigued by falconry. My wife approves. Maybe one day I’ll take it up when I can truly dedicate my time and effort into them. But until then I’ll watch.

 

[Button]

I just finished reading My Side of the Mountain to my 7 year old son. To say he's curious about birds of prey right now would be an understatement lol. Luckily we have an osprey nest pretty close by so he can watch them fly often. Can't wait to see your journey

Great book read it in 4th grade. Loved every bit

 

[thinhorn_AK]

That thing is going to go for your eyes. Don’t trust it.

 

[oenanthe]

That's really cool, thanks for sharing. I admire those willing to make the huge commitment to be a falconer.

On one of my hunts this year I was watching a merlin perched in a dead alder just across the creek from me. I had a pretty good view through the binos when it suddenly lept off the branch it was on. At the same moment a dusky sparrow came into my field of view from the side. The merlin nailed it in full flight, then sat on a rock across the creek and ate it while I watched. It was pretty amazing to watch.

 

[Ddog]

Beautiful bird! Looking forward to following along.

 

[mtnwrunner]

TOO COOL! I live in an area where there are a ton of ospreys.....very fun to watch.

Randy

 

[Rob5589]

There's something so awesome about hawks, falcons, eagles, etc. We have a bunch nearby being that we are right on the edges of all kinds of orchards. Couple weeks ago I saw a bald eagle, right near Sacramento. Crazy cool!

 

[TexaninSconny]

Beautiful bird!

Had a Peregrine in a tree outside our house last year. Shot a sparrow with a BB gun and tossed it down below where it was perched. Swooped down and took off with it in less than 15 seconds. Birds of prey are something else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DuckDogDr]

That is awesome. I am so jealous. Contrary to my S/N those are my favorite birds. I'm going to have to start an account just to watch

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

badass

X2

 

[walterlee]

Too cool!

 

[406life]

Little update on Freyja:


Freyja dropped her first feathers. This is exciting since it's earlier than my redtail, which hopefully means she'll be done sooner. It doubly exciting since she will loose the brown drab and grow into the classic steel-gray back and barred chest.

Other falcon molting facts:
-Feathers are dropped symmetrically, the same feather on both sides.
-The first to drop is the middle primary and then working towards the tip.of the wings.
-It can take 5-8 weeks for a feather to fully grow.
-Blood will circulate in the shaft until the fetaher is fully grown and hard-penned.

 

[bbell]

That’s awesome! I have always had an interest in falconry but also a realistic view of the time I have. There definitely is no shortcuts and the raptors deserve the best anyways. Keep updating pics. Can’t wait till you post a video of Freyja hammering a mallard from the sky!

 

[Scoot]

Very cool and unique thread! Good luck in this endeavor!

 

[IdahoElk]

THAT'S AWESOME! I looked into falconry a few years ago and didn't realize how dedicated one must be to even posses a bird legally. Falconry seems to be a lifestyle and not just a hobby.

 

[Steve O]

Very neat. Going to follow this one for sure.

 

[Tack Driver]

Following. I dreamt of falconry as a kid, definitely don’t have the time now. Love to see it though!

 

[bobinmi]

Man, I think the falconry stuff is fascinating. When I effed up my shoulder last fall I really debated putting down the stickbow and getting into it.

 

[UpTop]

Way cool!