Help getting Black Kite going ...

[WagClarke]

Is there anyone out there with experience training Black Kites?

I have a Black Kite which I imprinted last year. She is absolutely lovely but I didn't really get her going brilliantly last year, and towards the end of the autumn she got an infection in her mouth which involved Neil Forbes operating and this meant that she was then put in the aviary until about 2 weeks ago. I've got her out again now and she's ready to fly free again (hopefully on Sunday).

The problem is that last year when flown free she didn't really want to leave me! When I did get her up and flying around (as opposed to wanting to come back to my fist all the time) she seemed to be having a great time and then would go to the top of the nearest, tallest tree and sit. And when I say sit I mean make herself really, really comfy (lying down on occasion) and just call to me ... sometimes for an hour or more. She did always come down to me eventually but was reluctant to get up and just fly about.

Hope this makes sense and someone can give me some pointers :confused:

[Pearl]

we used to fly one in the centre but im no expert mate lol , two off us in the flying area well apart both with little bits of food once the kite was on the wing then the nearest falconer to the kite would shout wave your hand about and throw little tit pits in the air they soon get the hang of it and follow you around waiting for food to be thrown out once fit they will stay airborne for a while , but dont over do it in the early stages or she will get tied and land great fun

[Little Joe]

I worked with yellowbilled's in displays (same bird basically) - also full imprints. They are clever and opportunistic and will do whatever they have to for some food, but if they are not into food (too fat), they will train you nicely in stead.

I'd say fly the bird when there is a stiff breeze - makes it easier for it to stay in the air, and they know how to handle windy conditions. Play around with it by tossing tidbits into the air for it to catch, etc.

Many tricks exist to get a sitting bird airborne. For starters, walk away from it and let it beg you for food - never beg it to come down from a tree.

[WagClarke]

I have tried that but no luck so far. I don't know if I've over imprinted her but she's generally not that motivated by food, will happily sit and ignore food (no matter what her weight) and watch the world go by.

I know kite's are known for their intelligence etc but I'd swear she wants to be a model or an actress when she grows up - she's so vacant sometimes!!!

[Bird Girl]

we fly 2 black kites in show. it sounds to me that your bird is very sweet but a bit of an imprint baby which doesnt know what to do! you need to teach it how to fly. you could kite train it. give it a focus away from you, and teach it how to use its wings and breaks and build muscle. also try a catapult to throw food up which will reinforce height. kites are designed to soar, thats how they perform best they arent hawks so shouldnt really be flown like one, but its always good to have a good bond with the fist. it sounds like your gona have a lovely well mannered bird once youve taught him how to fly like one. good luck.

[Hardcore Hawker]

Is there anyone out there with experience training Black Kites?

I have a Black Kite which I imprinted last year. She is absolutely lovely but I didn't really get her going brilliantly last year, and towards the end of the autumn she got an infection in her mouth which involved Neil Forbes operating and this meant that she was then put in the aviary until about 2 weeks ago. I've got her out again now and she's ready to fly free again (hopefully on Sunday).

The problem is that last year when flown free she didn't really want to leave me! When I did get her up and flying around (as opposed to wanting to come back to my fist all the time) she seemed to be having a great time and then would go to the top of the nearest, tallest tree and sit. And when I say sit I mean make herself really, really comfy (lying down on occasion) and just call to me ... sometimes for an hour or more. She did always come down to me eventually but was reluctant to get up and just fly about.

Hope this makes sense and someone can give me some pointers :confused:

If you have not flown her free this year yet, she may have changed her habits! but you will not know this until you do. Also i have never heard of any species of bird imprint or otherwise which is not interested in food when hungry and used to the falconer! are you sure you have had her hungry?? imprints are the best liers when it comes to their belly:lol:

[WagClarke]

It sounds pretty much like I'm doing all the right things but perhaps I'm just expecting results too quickly. I'll try her again from Sunday, with the tidbits, etc. and I guess if she sits I'm going to just have to walk away and hope she comes looking for me!!!

[WagClarke]

Hi Hardhawker

yes, she's definitely hungry but I suspect she's also very stubborn!

She's a fab bird and I love her to pieces and that may be the problem - at the moment I suspect she's training me !!!!

Have resolved to be a bit harder on her - I have tended give in before she does !!!

[Little Joe]

If she sits and watches the world go by and ignores food, this bird has never really been hungry mate. Also, she knows she can make you wait. You have to let her know clearly that she has a limited window of opportunity once a day in which to get food. If she doesnt respond instantly, she goes hungry till the next day.

Thats all there is to it.

[David Rampling]

Lol, sounds like she has trained you well! I would say stick her on a creance, get her coming reliably to you for food, you may have to drop her wieght a tad, dont give in to her,( and if she wont come quickly, pick her up, give her a chick head, put her away and try again next day) and dont reinforce the habit she has got into. Once she is reliable let her off, and only then can you work on her soaring and catching food. And remember, imprints lie to you, acting hungrier than they really are, till you get to the field. Simple. Best of luck.