Escaped Harris Hawk (1 Viewer)

[Tim Cross]

We 'adopted' a Harris Hawk 12mths ago and she has been flying in quite a tight territory. I managed to locate the owner last week who was obviously very pleased to have found his best friend. However, we now have to catch the bird! Does anyone have any tips? We understand how to lay a live 'decoy' with netting but i just wonderd if anybody had any first hand experience and further sound advice.
Many thanks
Tim

 

[IanF]

Hi Tim,

On behalf of Admin and the Moderators welcome to Bird Forum :t:

Whilst the bird is flying free then great, but as this is a 'wild' bird forum then this perhaps isn't the best place to ask. One two members do have an interest in falconry so you may be lucky in getting a reply to your query or at least point you in the right direction.

 

[Tim Cross]

Ian,
Thank you very much for the message.
Tim

 

[Kevin Mac]

It is important to cover the bird with a towel or blanket once you have netted it. wrap it up rather firmly so it can't use it's talons. Of course you're wearing heavy gloves. I take it since it's been wild so long it won't respond to a falconer's lure and a reward. Once bundled you can transfer it into a dog kennel to transport it. Good luck! We've captured and transported a Barred Owl and a Bald Eagle at the park where I work in this manner.

 

[Tim Cross]

Kevin,
Thanks for your reply.Your right, it won't respond to the lure. I'll let you know how we get on when we pinpoinyt where to lay our net as she can be found in a number of trees and does not appear to have a favourite feeding area as we are surrounded by rabbits in open countryside.
What a lovely place to live in, Vancouver.
Rgds.
Tim

 

[BIRDERSMS]

Netting Harris hawk

Hi Tim!
Why can`t the owner assist you in this catching of his hawk?
Best would be to net the hawk in (early) morning with some life lure. I can contact falconers who are more experienced with P.unicinctus/ Harris Hawk. If it is not to late.
Good Luck,
Martin

 

[Tim Cross]

Martin,
Don't worry the owner is well and truly part of the team! We are aiming to catch the hawk early morning as you suggest when it is more likely to be hunting. I have been watching the early morning activity for some time now and there is no specific tree/bush which she favours. We are just going to have to sit and wait in ambush at a strategic point and keep our fingers crossed.
Thanks for your reply, any help is appreciated and we do have the assistance now of a couple of club members which hopefully improves our chances - lets see.
Rgds.
Tim

 

[Jester]

another possibility i have heard of working before is if the bird still has jesses on and roosts in a suitable tree with not too many low branches

find it during the day and make sure you keep sight of it until dark when it is less likely to fly off. if it roosts in a tree not too tall join several lengths of bamboo together (or similar poles) with a string noose at the top. it might be possible to snare the jesses and when it tries to fly off bring it to ground and cover it with a blanket.

not the ideal method but apparently it works.

of course it will only work if circumstances work in your favour ie. bird still has jesses (unlikely after 12 months) and roosts in a suitable tree not too high.

alternatively with poles like above arrange the noose round some food (day old chick or similar size meat ) harrisses are quite footy so it might grab at the chick and you can close the noose on the birds leg (dunno about that though cos it might injure the leg and then it will be in trouble )


hopefully these ideas will be useful to me too as soon as i can find my escaped HH