Local redtails

[WannabeApprentice]

well i just wanted to know if its bad that i am getting a redtail and theres a couple or 2 redtails that go around my house because there are a few small fields and if i was manning my bird in the field or backyard would they attack cus they have a nest nearby and the two just fly all around scopin things out all day and wat can i do about it

[Finnish]

MOVED THREAD TO CORRECT PLACE :)

[OutFlying]

Ask your sponsor, they will be your best source of information. I doubt any wild hawk would attack a "tame" hawk whilst being manned on the fist but could be at risk when tethered out in the open.

OF.

[WannabeApprentice]

aight thanks so like only leave it in the mews if i aint there or is it safe in the weathering yard or what

[OutFlying]

is the yard covered ? and safe from any intruders or the hawk escaping ?

[WannabeApprentice]

the weathering yard i aint built it yet but like coveredd by wat like that metal **** cus thats wat i was gonna use for the top

[Sprout]

Metal can get very hot and trap heat in direct sun so be careful. Ask your mentor about these sort of details, he'll have a much better understanding of what works in your particular area

[Shaun Byrne]

One of the 2 local Red Tails may well be the one in your mews once you qualify.

[MickeyDredd]

I once picked up my FRT early and flew her in July. When she chased a bunny and just missed it at the burrow entrance the local common buzzard swooped down and gave her a whack so. The CB ******ed off when she was on my fist but every time I let her fly the CB would then come in and give her grief so I stopped flying her in that location.

I'm sure your local reds could therefore be a problem when flying your bird free - but not when on the fist.

[Hosehead]

I found my FRT was more a threat to the locals than they were to her. She would normally drive them off before she would get serious about hunting. She only bound to a couple but always released once they hit the ground. I think her aggression was due to her being hungry and wanting to drive off the competition.Kurt

[Peregrynne]

The only birds that really need to worry in most cases would be the smaller raptors. A red tail won't hesitate to dive in on anything smaller if it thinks it can get the upper hand. This is normally the case in free flight.

If your bird is teathered and no one is around then it is fair game as well. You with your bird on your fist would be enough of a deterent to keep other large raptors away from it. So if you are not going to be around and the bird will be teathered then make sure it is secured inside at least a weathering.

I used to work for a vet as a kennel tech. and had to walk the dogs in the morning and the evening. It was quite normal to be walking them under the watchful eyes of a mated pair of Red tails. Never once had a problem with them diving at me or the dogs. BTW they were not all big dogs, chihuahuas and toy poodles were rather common.