Kiowa - Imprint Peregrine

[Berkutchi]

Kiowa - Imprint Peregrine

Today Neil (Berkut) and I drove down to pick up a fine fourteen day old eyass peregrine falcon from Tony (Huntersall). She's a lovely falcon - the kind that catches your eye when alongside her siblings. Neil's kindly let me imprint the falcon for him.

You can see Tony's peregrines in these two threads:

http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30066
http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29532

I’m sure most of you have experienced raising an eyass falcon, but as it’s a new and novel thing to me (aside from pulling an american kestrel) – I hope it might be mildly interesting to post the progression of this peregrine to hardpenning – and potentially hawking. Unfortunately, after having spent close to a year in Scotland, I must return to the states before then - but hopefully Neil will finish this thread I have started.

Its particularly intriguing to me, as I’ll be gamehawking a parent-reared Anatum falcon this coming season. Since I've got to come back to US for a few years (to finish my Uni work), and because Oklahoma is a fantastic state for flying falcons, I thought it would be beneficial to delve into the world of longwings before I return to Scotland to fly those goldens I can't stop thinking about.

And so here I begin – investigating the mentality of the imprint peregrine. Appropriately I think, I gave her a decidedly Oklahoman name.

Its lazy days:


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8524.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8527.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8533-1.jpg

[Onyx25]

Kiowa - Imprint Peregrine

Today Neil (Berkut) and I drove down to pick up a fine fourteen day old eyass peregrine falcon from Tony (Huntersall). She's a lovely falcon - the kind that catches your eye when alongside her siblings. Neil's kindly let me imprint the falcon for him.

You can see Tony's peregrines in these two threads:

http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30066
http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29532

I’m sure most of you have experienced raising an eyass falcon, but as it’s a new and novel thing to me (aside from pulling an american kestrel) – I hope it might be mildly interesting to post the progression of this peregrine to hardpenning – and potentially hawking. Unfortunately, after having spent close to a year in Scotland, I must return to the states before then - but hopefully Neil will finish this thread I have started.

Its particularly intriguing to me, as I’ll be gamehawking a parent-reared Anatum falcon this coming season. Since I've got to come back to US for a few years (to finish my Uni work), and because Oklahoma is a fantastic state for flying falcons, I thought it would be beneficial to delve into the world of longwings before I return to Scotland to fly those goldens I can't stop thinking about.

And so here I begin – investigating the mentality of the imprint peregrine. Appropriately I think, I gave her a decidedly Oklahoman name.

Its lazy days:


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8524.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8527.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8533-1.jpg

Very nice only falcons manage to look cute at that age! Good luck (buy your earplugs)!

[Berkut]

Nice thread Lauren.She's looking good. I have seen a crop like that before but forgot how you described it.;)

Hope you enjoy her over the next few weeks.:cool:

[TimDog80]

look forward to your thread lauren should be a good read as usual:D :D, i love peregrines big time your one lucky girl!!!!

best regards
tim:D

[Falcon Boy]

Best of luck Lauren. I am imprinting a male gyr/saker i got at 18 days. It is a wonderful experiance, and a handful to say the least, although i don't regret a minute of it. I'm sure you will love imprinting the bird as much as i have been with mine [also my first].
-noah

[Mark Collins]

Nice looking bird mate, got some big dancers on her to, good luck with her, mark.

[Elly]

Awww, shes prettier than Spike was when Neil first posted pics of him :lol: (Sorry Neil!). Looking forward to reading about her progress, plenty of your trademark descriptions and loads of pics please! :supz:

[Berkutchi]

Tim: Cheers! :D

Onyx25: They certainly are, (dare I say it?) cute. :lol:

Noah: Thanks. Best of luck with your gyr/saker.

Neil: You know, there is really only one way to accurately describe those kinds of crops. :wink:

Mark: Cheers - I do like the look of her feet.

It is an utterly enjoyable process, this in particular - far and away from imprinting that american kestrel - and now, Spike the golden eagle.

15 days and 560 grams, or 19.7 ounces

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8540.jpg

[HuntersAll]

She's looking very settled Lauren,i wish you the best with her,though its a pity you will have to go back to America soon.She has the same massive feet like her mother whose middle toe was over 3'' without measuring the talon,i think this is why she always found holding pheasants especially knocked down lively cocks easy. Keep us updated on her progress.
Regards,
Tony.

[Tacatanach]

Great looking bird Lauren, love the name.

[Goldie]

Kiowa - Imprint Peregrine



http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8533-1.jpg

You been putting gold nail varnish on again Lauren:lol:

[Afshimo]

she looks gorgouse! all the best with her, and as always looking foreward to another great thread!

Han

[Palmer]

Looks like a begining of another great thread!:supz: :yawinkle:

[Tacatanach]

I use to work at a rehab place and there was a great horned owl brought in by a beautician who had actually painted his talons and beak hot pink. This was before my time (actually before I was born), but the owl had also been imprinted by her and so stayed with us for 20 or so years doing educational programs for school groups and just recently died.

You been putting gold nail varnish on again Lauren:lol:

[Berkutchi]

Goldie: Ha! Noted, I'll try and restrain myself this time.

Cheers Palmer and Hannah! Appreciated.

Therese: Hot pink nail polish on a horned owl? Wow - there goes my faith in humanity. :lol:


16 days - 601 g

Though the vast majority of the day is still slept away, Kiowa is getting noticeably more active and mobile.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/16days2-low.jpg

17 days - 653 g

Several times today she extended her wings for a few vigorous flaps and managed to stand up for a couple shaky footsteps before toppling over.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/17days-1.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/day17-2.jpg

--Lauren

[Big JoeJoe]

Awwww another fluffy love ball:supz: You jus have to love em,:heart: Nice one Lauren for the start of another great thread.:supz: :supz:

Cheers Joe

[Palmer]

Looking good8-)

[Cyclone]

:supz: lookin good lil fluff ball :P
cyclone

[Tacatanach]

Lauren, my faith in humanity was gone when someone decided to keep a Great Horned...

On the bright side maybe with hot pink pieces the happless falcons could see it coming.:lol: I bet that girl from Brazil would have liked it

Therese: Hot pink nail polish on a horned owl? Wow - there goes my faith in humanity. :lol:

[SakerYZF]

Fantastic stuff , :-D

[GyrXPeales]

Way to go Lauren, I've been pretty much off line for the past several days, it's nice to come back to a good thread. You're gonna learn tons about raptors in general through the imprint process, especially if you can read between the lines.
Glad to hear you'll be flying a PR when you come back, I predict a few hawking trips together this fall and winter.
The OFA picnic is this weekend, I'll pass along your regards if you wish.
Very cool stuff Lauren,
My best as always,
Jeff

[Salty]

nice one lauren shes a cracker girl:goodman: :supz:

[LadyHawke]

She's very cute. But I dont think the phesants will be thinking so when she gets bigger-those feet are enormous! Good luck with her, and I will look forward to reading about her progress.8-) 8-)

[Eagle Owl]

Awesome Lauren!!!! You are so freakin' lucky getting to play with a baby Golden and a baby Pere!!!! I am very jealous:( Look forward to more pics:supz:

[Berkutchi]

Cheers Joe, Cyclone, Palmer, Salty, Allison, and Chris!

Therese: Agreed! :lol:

Brandi: Thanks! I was a bit down when the season came to an end, but this and the imprint golden are proving quite a fun and insightful experience.

Jeff: Very much appreciated! I was in turmoil as to what to do this coming season, but decided I'm diving in headfirst - pick up the falcon a few days after getting back in the states and hit the ground running. Hawking trips you betcha - that goes without saying. Please do pass on my regards at the picnic - I absolutely wish I could be there. I believe this'll be the first time in five years I've not gone. I'll drop you an e-mail, Jeff ;)


Those uncertain upright steps are becoming a regular occurrence now. The past few days here in western Scotland have been quite warm - lovely to pass the day away outside and contemplate what's going on in that peregrine brain.

18 days - 690g

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/19days-01.jpg

19 days - 748g

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/19days-1.jpg

--Lauren

[Berkut]

Looking good Lauren.Big difference in 5 days. You must be worn out. :lol:

[GyrXPeales]

Well now I am jealous, you and Therese are having all the fun. I have to admit I love the process of imprinting as much as the kind of bird it produces. It is one of the most addictive things on the planet.
She's looking great Lauren, keep up the good work.
My very best,
Jeff

[Berkut]

Well now I am jealous, you and Therese are having all the fun. I have to admit I love the process of imprinting as much as the kind of bird it produces. It is one of the most addictive things on the planet.
She's looking great Lauren, keep up the good work.
My very best,
Jeff

Got to agree with you there Jeff.I love the imprinting process.

[Berkut]

I like how she is resting her head on "Gamehawk Field and Moor".8-) 8-)

[GyrXPeales]

I like how she is resting her head on "Gamehawk Field and Moor".8-) 8-)

Now you know what goes through an imprint eyass's head.:lol: Lauren's teaching the little fuzzhead to read.;)
Jeff

[KiteTrainer]

Now you know what goes through an imprint eyass's head.:lol: Lauren's teaching the little fuzzhead to read.;)
Jeff

Not sure if she will teach it how to make Tea she has never mastered that:lol:

[Elly]

Hows the pere coming on Lauren? Any more pics? How much does she weigh?

[Berkutchi]

You've got me John. Domestically inclined I am not.

Jeff and Neil: Hehe - yeah, I thought it was wildly appropriate that she chose to amble over to that particular book and collapse against it. I like it.

Ah - so I have a bit of catching up to do on this thread. She is getting more difficult to contain - running without abandon and even hopping when the need arises. She often spends several minutes rowing her wings and tirelessly footing objects she stumbles upon. However, most of her day is still spent sleeping soundly.

20 days - 777g

Sprawled out in front of the fan.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8567.jpg

21 days - 805g

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8570.jpg

22 days - 850g

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8582.jpg

23 days - 895g (31.4 ounces)

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8576.jpg

[Berkutchi]

I can certainly see what you mean Jeff - this is addictive! I seem to find myself plotting what to imprint, tame hack, and hawk in the future. Here are a few more shots from today. The feather growth is just incredible - it seems to occur right before your eyes!

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8584.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8591.jpg

I only wish I was going to be here to see this same face on her first kill! :D

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8590.jpg

--Lauren

[TimDog80]

looks like shes coming along nicely lauren, good luck:D :D

best regards
tim:D

[Palmer]

Looking good!!!8-)

The feather growth is AMAZING, i can't wait till i imprint some time!!!!:supz: :heart:

Ow and thanks for this thread it's great

[SakerYZF]

Looking great !:-)

[Mark Collins]

Nice pictures, mark.

[Berkut]

She's looking good Lauren.It'll be good to see her tomorrow.

[HuntersAll]

Hi Lauren,
fantastic photo's,i'me very glad your enjoying her so much and from your thread and what you post it looks like its going to lead onto a lot of things,;-) .Personally i have only imprinted spars,but seeing this thread and marks tame hacking thread i think i'me missing out on something very special..maybe one day..:D ..
Tony...

I can certainly see what you mean Jeff - this is addictive! I seem to find myself plotting what to imprint, tame hack, and hawk in the future. Here are a few more shots from today. The feather growth is just incredible - it seems to occur right before your eyes!


--Lauren

[Berkutchi]

Hi Lauren,
fantastic photo's,i'me very glad your enjoying her so much and from your thread and what you post it looks like its going to lead onto a lot of things,;-) .Personally i have only imprinted spars,but seeing this thread and marks tame hacking thread i think i'me missing out on something very special..maybe one day..:D ..
Tony...

I'm glad you're enjoying it Tony! It is rewarding indeed - you bred a cracking bird. :D

Today Kiowa was a bundle of energy, bounding about the garden - running with confidence and flapping up a storm. Inquisitve little ******, too.

Then suddenly she was out like a light. 24 days and 2lbs even.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/kiowa24days.jpg

[Dan Paradis]

Does she be noisy so far ?

[FalconMistress]

:supz: looking lovely and full. :cool:

[Gaz]

"******,"QUOTE:

Whey hey:!: ..the yank wench is turning Bristle..:!: :butthead: :mrgreen: ..







(thought Kiowa was native..?)

[Berkut]

27 days now.

[Salty]

belters them ,class bet laurens glad shes got ne holes in her socks pmsl:lol:

[Berkut]

belters them ,class bet laurens glad shes got ne holes in her socks pmsl:lol:

She says she's determined to turn you hetro ;) :lol:

[Salty]

She says she's determined to turn you hetro ;) :lol:

haha i may just SWING aswell,long as the chicks are thrown in :lol: :yawinkle:

[Salty]

thing the eagets wonderin what pere n chicks look like ,or laurens making it jel cos its lookin at her stronegley:lol: :rolleyes:

[Salty]

thing the eagets wonderin what pere n chicks look like ,or laurens making it jel cos its lookin at her stronegley:lol: :rolleyes:
BLAH meant ta say pere n chips taste like :x :oops:

[Gary F]

belters them ,class bet laurens glad shes got ne holes in her socks pmsl:lol:
i thought that berkuts a bit posh, gotta take ya boots off to sit on the patio,
pmsl

[Salty]

i thought that berkuts a bit posh, gotta take ya boots off to sit on the patio,
pmsl

i was thinking that mate ,cant see the teacups either ,pmsl:D

[SakerYZF]

Looking good :-D

Lean times Lauren? we could have a whip round and buy you some shoes! :-D:-D ;-)

[Hacker]

Lauren,
just came across this thread,
looks like you are doing an excellent job, well done.

[Berkutchi]

I had to pop down to London for the last two days, didn't have internet access - so left Kiowa with Neil.

Cheers Hacker!

Dan: I've had her with me nearly 24/7 and always have food available - she's virtually silent.

Gaz: You better believe it!

Salty: You lot crack me up - there's always room for Salty in the field. ;)

Chris: Ah ya, those socks! I can't help it - I always walkabout in my socks. Neil and John give me a hard time for it (something about having the feet of an orangutan). :lol:


28 days and 34.5 ounces

Now as she rows her wings and runs, she continually hops and leaps. Today she found several of Bentley's moulted feathers in the garden and proceeded to destroy them.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8681.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8682.jpg

[Berkutchi]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8683.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8685.jpg

[LongVVing]

A cracking looking aerial assassin in the making!

Mark.