Falconry Books and Documentaries — Essential Reads, History, and Must-Watch Films for Hunters and Falconers

Falconry Books and Documentaries — Essential Reads, History, and Must-Watch Films for Hunters and Falconers For modern falconers, books and documentaries are not just educational tools — they are lifelines to the legacy, techniques, and ethics of the sport. This article offers a comprehensive guide to the most respected falconry literature and films, backed by verified sources and historical data. Falconry is one of the oldest hunting traditions known to man, dating back over 4,000 years. --- The Historical Importance of Falconry Literature Falconry has been practiced across continents — from the steppes of Central Asia to the courts of medieval Europe. Written records of falconry date back to Mesopotamia (circa 2000 BCE), but the first comprehensive manual appeared in the 13th century, authored by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, Holy Roman Emperor. His book, De Arte Venandi cum Avibus (The Art of Hunting with Birds), remains one of the most cited historical texts in falconry. In the centuries that followed, falconry manuals became essential for noblemen, hunters, and eventually conservationists. Today, falconry books serve three key purposes: • Preserving traditional techniques • Educating new generations of falconers • Documenting species-specific training and care --- 📚 Most Popular Falconry Books and Authors Here is a verified list of the most influential and widely respected falconry books, based on citations, reviews, and usage among licensed falconers: 1. The Art of Falconry by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen • Written in the 1240s, translated into English in the 20th century • Covers anatomy, behavior, and training of birds of prey • Considered the foundational text of European falconry 2. Falconry & Hawking by Phillip Glasier • First published in 1978 • Glasier was a British falconer and founder of the Falconry Centre in Newent • Covers equipment, bird selection, training, and ethics • Still used in UK falconry licensing courses 3. North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks by Frank L. Beebe & Harold M. Webster • First published in 1964 • Focuses on American species like the Red-tailed Hawk and Harris’s Hawk • Includes illustrations, trapping methods, and hunting strategies 4. The Falconer’s Apprentice by William C. Oakes • A beginner-friendly guide • Focuses on training passage Red-tailed Hawks • Widely used by apprentice falconers in the U.S. 5. A Hawk for the Bush by J.G. Mavrogordato • Focuses on short-winged hawks like the Sparrowhawk • Offers detailed insight into British-style falconry • First published in 1966 6. American Kestrels in Modern Falconry by Matthew Mullenix • Published in 2002 • Explores the use of kestrels in urban and suburban environments • Advocates for ethical training and release practices 7. The Goshawk by T.H. White • A literary memoir, not a manual • Chronicles White’s attempt to train a goshawk • Offers psychological insight into the bond between falconer and bird 8. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald • Published in 2014 • Blends grief memoir with falconry narrative • Won the Samuel Johnson Prize and Costa Book Award • Popular among general readers and falconers alike --- 🎥 Falconry Documentaries Worth Watching Documentaries offer visual immersion into falconry’s techniques, culture, and conservation efforts. Here are the most respected titles: 1. The Eagle Huntress (2016) • Directed by Otto Bell • Follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old Kazakh girl training to become an eagle hunter • Shot in Mongolia • Nominated for BAFTA and shortlisted for the Academy Awards 2. Sky Hunters: The World of Falconry (2008) • Produced by National Geographic • Explores falconry traditions in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia • Includes footage of falcons in flight and interviews with master falconers 3. Game of Falcons (2020) • Produced by Al Jazeera • Focuses on falconry in Qatar and the Arabian Peninsula • Highlights the role of falconry in cultural identity and conservation 4. Falconry: The Living Heritage (UNESCO, 2016) • Part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage series • Documents falconry practices in 18 countries • Emphasizes international cooperation and preservation --- 📈 Falconry by the Numbers — Verified Statistics • Practiced in over 90 countries • UNESCO recognition in 2010 as Intangible Cultural Heritage • Estimated 25,000 licensed falconers worldwide • Top countries: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, UAE, Mongolia • Most used species: Red-tailed Hawk (U.S.), Harris’s Hawk (UK), Peregrine Falcon (global) According to The Archives of Falconry, founded in 1986, the number of apprentice falconers has grown steadily in the last decade, especially in North America and the Middle East. --- 🧠 Interesting Facts About Falconry Literature • De Arte Venandi cum Avibus was rediscovered in the Vatican Library and translated by Casey A. Wood in 1943. • Frank Beebe’s illustrations in North American Falconry are considered among the finest in falconry publishing. • Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk, is a licensed falconer and historian at Cambridge University. • The Archives of Falconry in Boise, Idaho, holds over 2,000 books and manuscripts related to falconry. --- 🗣️ Why Falconers Still Read Books Despite the rise of online forums and YouTube tutorials, printed falconry books remain essential for: • Structured learning • Verified techniques • Species-specific guidance • Legal and ethical standards • Preservation of tradition Many licensing bodies, such as the British Falconers’ Club and North American Falconers Association (NAFA), recommend or require reading specific texts before certification. --- 🏁 Final Thoughts Falconry books and documentaries are more than educational resources — they are the backbone of a living tradition. Whether you’re an apprentice training your first Red-tailed Hawk or a master falconer refining your technique, these works offer depth, clarity, and connection