training a red kite

[AndyBilsy]

Hi everyone,
Can anyone give me some good advice on training a red kite.
I have the bird in a large avairy and ideally i will be free lofting her,
She is flyiing to the glove for food at the moment and i would like some professional opinions and tips.;-)

[Red-Devil]

hi what you going to fly it at ?

[GM090158]

hi what you going to fly it at ?

Very little I would imagine, Red Kites are scavengers not hunters.

[AndyBilsy]

I will be using it in flying displays hopefully,
i wont be hunting with it,

[UKJay74]

i remember seeing a kite being flown in display and its main trick was to catch and eat titbits thrown up on the wing :D very close to what they will do in the wild to the likes of insects and the likes

[Miguel]

Hi Andy, I have 6 black kites flying on display... What specifically are looking for??
Feel free to PM or e-mail me...

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

If you dont know how to train it you shouldnt have the bird! (This is the nicest way I can think of putting this).

[Barbary Boy]

If you dont know how to train it you shouldnt have the bird! (This is the nicest way I can think of putting this).
youve never had a new bird b4 then m8?

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Loads I thourghly research before I commit a raptors life to my care, why?

[AndyBilsy]

Why are people so prejudging on this forum?
I actually run a bird of prey centre. which i have been involved with for 2 years, which i have a zoo license for.
Yes i am a novice and Yes i have an awful lot to learn, but i do have several associates who assist me and together they have over 40 years experince with BOP's.
Unfortunately non has expierience with kites.
I do try to learn and educate myself from all angles.
I joined this forum so i could seek valuble advice and first hand information so please help me in this way and refrain from prejudging.
I note there is an awful lot of squabbling and bitching going on here and i would really like to remain impartial, and not become embroiled in that type of discussion
All i ask is for anyone who feels as passionatley about raptors and owls as i do myself and has a love for nature AND freindly comments to respond,
Andy

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

You will I think find that people with the experience and best interests of the bird in mind, will have a very similar reaction. The point I was making is you should have researched and found out how too, before getting the bird. If someone came on here as a beginner and asked the question "Ive got a bird in an aviary, how do I train it" they would get shot with ****. So whats the difference between that and your question? A vast majority will not have looked at this thread because ity does not concern a falconry species. You are though playing with a species that has specialist requirements which if not met can cause major problems. I would simply ask that before buying learn the basics of training the species and welfare requirements. This is my personal view point summed up by my first statement.

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

This is a classic case of a good argument for full licenceing and staged access to species.

[Zam]

Andy - sorry, never trained a red kite, but I have spent hours shooting them (camera). Here in Wales there are a lot of feeding stations. The wild birds will come down within inches of you for the food!! They appear very sociable - and will, apparently, do anything for a free meal! I would think with such a food orientated attitude, they should be relatively easy to train to fly to the glove. Not so sure about hunting with them. An uphill struggle, maybe:rolleyes:

Alternatively, you could take the easy option - popular with some folks!! - and buy an adult bird, fully trained!! Takes away all the hassle (and the fun, sense of achievement etc.....), then post here about what a terrific bird you have........:lol:

Just a thought! Good luck, anyway!

[AndyBilsy]

thanks zam,
the bird has been flown before, but she has been in an avairy for around 2 years. i am actually retraing her, not as rewarding as starting from scratch but still very enjoyable and satisfying.
i am trying to ascertain all the possible techniques available as well as using the information and methords used by its previous owner,
regards Andy

[Claire]

when we trained our black kite we already had a brahminy kite in display which helped with the training, he was watching the brahminy get the food untill he learned to do it

[Merger]

Have flown a couple of black kites, best flown out of an avairy, in my opionion another one of those birds that look a bit sad tethered, like owls, but they are easy to handle, use thier intelligence to your advantage,and try and fly on routine and appitite rather than hunger, can drift in strong winds, but when fit excel in wind.A great fun bird to fly, but dont let them get the better of you ,very crafty.

[NorthenEnglandHawker]

A Close Friend Of Mine Trained A Black Kite And It Flew Very Well Ill Get In Touch Wiv Him And Post What He Did

[Barn Owl]

Why are people so prejudging on this forum?
I actually run a bird of prey centre. which i have been involved with for 2 years, which i have a zoo license for.
Yes i am a novice and Yes i have an awful lot to learn, but i do have several associates who assist me and together they have over 40 years experince with BOP's.
Unfortunately non has expierience with kites.
I do try to learn and educate myself from all angles.
I joined this forum so i could seek valuble advice and first hand information so please help me in this way and refrain from prejudging.
I note there is an awful lot of squabbling and bitching going on here and i would really like to remain impartial, and not become embroiled in that type of discussion
All i ask is for anyone who feels as passionatley about raptors and owls as i do myself and has a love for nature AND freindly comments to respond,
Andy

Well said Andy

[AndyBilsy]

thanks for your recent contact, look forward to hearing from you,
the red kite is feeding off my fist now and comes down quite comforably, altough she has flown at my head once or twice, i dont know if she is testing me or because it may be coming into breeding season, any advice would be good, cheers ANDY

[AndyBilsy]

Have flown a couple of black kites, best flown out of an avairy, in my opionion another one of those birds that look a bit sad tethered, like owls, but they are easy to handle, use thier intelligence to your advantage,and try and fly on routine and appitite rather than hunger, can drift in strong winds, but when fit excel in wind.A great fun bird to fly, but dont let them get the better of you ,very crafty.



You are correct, she is beginning to test me by flying towards my face and once or twice actually having a grab for my hair, feeding off the fist quite well.
cheers andy

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

That sort of behaviour is normaly linked to being too high in condition.

[AndyBilsy]

That sort of behaviour is normaly linked to being too high in condition.
what would you reccomend,
cheers andy

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Sounds like you need to reduce the birds weight.

[AndyBilsy]

what would you reccomend,
cheers andy
I have a day off on mondays and she is usually a bit testing when i have not been in with her for a day
cheers andy