Harris or not

[Xantara]

Hi all


As I mentioned in my intro I am looking to get a bird to fly and hunt for both my son and I to learn together (11yrs). From this site and other reading I have done previously a HH seams to be an agreeable starter bird but given the obvious precautions would it be suitable given my sons age ? I am fortunate in that I live in a country area with lots of open space and that I have an aviary (closed sided) measuring aprox 20ftx10, if a HH is considered would the this size in your professional opinions be suitable for conversion into an open fronted mews for 1 or poss 2 birds in the future.

While not totally green when it comes to this subject I pester for info as I believe in gleaning from the experienced so please bare with me.

Regards

Xan

[Jiff]

the size is perfect, you could convert it to house 2 birds in a 10x10 mews but incorperate an option so that in future you could give a male and female the full 20ft if you decided you wanted to breed as you're experiance grows, the harris has to be the number one choice, especialy with the younger starters they are very biddable birds, my female has real attitude at times but she knows my hands and i can handle her bare handed if the need arrises, best wishes xan.

[Afshimo]

I'd agree, maybe a male harris, taking the weight into consideration for your son. From what I've heard, you can get some good flights from male HH. Then later, get a female as well off a different breeder, let your son train the male and you can have a cast of HH! Then breed in the season?

what do other people say?

[Osiris]

Hi Xan.

The size of mews seems fine to me. HH are good beginners birds and are extremely intelligent and learn very quickly! Your son being 11yrs old shouldnt be a problem since you will be there, and if he has the knowledge and experience(?) i think you should do fine. Think about it for a while. Its up to you and only you can make the descision to get your bird but make sure you have thought about how many times a week can you fly it (hunt with it), man it down, and how long they live. Will you take the commitment to keep the bird for as long as it is alive. If yes, get your bird m8 and have fun and if you need any help/advice theres plently of experienced and knowledgable people on the forum that will do there best to help you out in any matter you ask about :D
J

[Osiris]

I agree with you Hannah. You can get brilliant flights from a HH and have a gr8 life with them. The male HH will be good for your son at first and with your guidance he should do fine with it. If you take Hannah's comment on the breeding side, look into it thoroughly m8!! :D

[Wightwings]

HH are good beginners birds and are extremely intelligent

sorry Osiris.............but aaaaahhhhhhgggggg .........please justify this comment..........i hate the term "beginners bird".......the HH is so so so much more than that..........and in fact if you look into the physcy of the bird you would not say they were.......they are an immensly complicated creature and although it is true their intelligence leads them to be easily brought on they are by no means beginners bird.........a biginners bird is an owl....or a CB.......(sorry bubs :roll: ya know i luvs ya :wink: )

[SecretSquirrel]

an owl? are you mad WW!!! :rolleyes: my owls are mental and would teach one nothing about hunting experience unless you wanted moths, which the barny often chases! crazy that one. i love the owls to bits, but they take up aviary space and all you can do is fly them for fun. i agree no bird can be described as a beginners bird, but the HHs seem to have the right temprement and their intelligence means they train well and their good sized weight allows for some misfortunes in mistakes on weight control. although their intelligence may also cause their owrners to become nonchalent and too much routine will drive them to imprint somewhat. I still think a HH and particualry a MHH in this case would be a better raptor to take on as a first choice to gain experience of an all round loyal hunting bird.

[Wightwings]

still think a HH and particualry a MHH in this case would be a better raptor to take on as a first choice to gain experience of an all round loyal hunting bird. that's the wording i was looking for as opposed to the term"beginners bird" :wink:

ps SSi have always had a touch of the madness :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :shock: :lol:

[Osiris]

sorry Osiris.............but aaaaahhhhhhgggggg .........please justify this comment..........i hate the term "beginners bird".......the HH is so so so much more than that..........and in fact if you look into the physcy of the bird you would not say they were.......they are an immensly complicated creature and although it is true their intelligence leads them to be easily brought on they are by no means beginners bird.........a biginners bird is an owl....or a CB.......(sorry bubs ya know i luvs ya )

I totally agree with your comment WW. What i was trying to lead on and say but i couldn't be bothered at the time... :D... was that if a 'beginner' got a HH they would learn so much from the bird with their intelligence and upon-ease temperment. It would be the novice falconer that would learn a hell of a lot by getting one of these birds.

[Xantara]

Hi

Thanks for your input everyone, just wondered Wightewings what your thoughts on the original question might of been if you hadnt been sidetracked by the terminology ??? :)

xan

[SecretSquirrel]

we know you're mad WW but we wouldnt have you any other way! :P

[Wightwings]

ye sorry xan was on the soap box a little last evening :roll:

Yes i agree the MHH for me would be a great start.....a lot of peeps will say you should go with a FHH but IMHO you get a more varied flight with the male unless you go for a smaller fem. Besides the FHH will have the usual hormonal change around 2 yrs and can change completely.

Being a grageriuos bird the HH will bond with both people if handled right and you will get years of fun from him and learn as much from him as he from you.
what woul be even better woul dbe the seeking out of a mentor :wink:

Regarding the breeding thing so many people keep going on about forget it......sorry Hannah but you of all peeps should know better than to be "advising" such a thing to someone who has yet not even experienced keeping a bird........oops sorry soap box again :roll:

[Xantara]

Ye the mentor thing sounds good especially for son but people seem to be hiding cant get a handle on anyone /

the breeding thing is not a poss for the mo I need a break as am pretty good with incubators and still get calls about probs people get, sooner they realise its not them but the weather chainges we are experiencing the better :)

The more I look into it the more I see the male as the route to take especially for son with the weight etc. He and I live together so its a pmt free zone lol

xan

[HarrisHawk.1.]

yeah a harris is a good bird but go for the male one a lot smaller considering that your sons 11yrs

[HarrisHawk.1.]

i agree with ww because they are a fun bird. i do have a harris male . at the moment and its a different thing when there flying well anybird is but they are good to learn on and a lovely bird to have............. :lol: :shock:

[Hawkmaster]

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