Falconry Glossary: Essential Terms Every Beginner Should Know

Falconry Glossary: Essential Terms Every Beginner Should Know If you are just starting your journey into falconry, mastering the vocabulary is as important as learning how to handle a bird of prey. This glossary provides clear, fact-checked definitions of the most important falconry terms, written from the perspective of a practicing falconer. --- Introduction Falconry, the ancient art of hunting with trained birds of prey, has a language of its own. Many of these terms date back to medieval Europe, while others come from Arabic traditions or modern innovations. For beginners, understanding this vocabulary is crucial. It not only helps in communication with experienced falconers but also ensures proper care, training, and hunting with raptors. Below is a comprehensive glossary of falconry terms every apprentice falconer should know. --- Essential Falconry Terms Aerie – The natural nest of a raptor, usually located on cliffs or tall trees. Aba – A cloth wrap used to restrain a bird safely during examination or treatment. Anklets – Leather cuffs fitted around a bird’s legs, to which jesses are attached. Apprentice Falconer – A beginner falconer under supervision, required by law in many countries such as the USA. Bate – When a bird attempts to fly from the fist or perch while still tethered. Casting – Two meanings: (1) the indigestible material (fur, feathers, bones) regurgitated by a raptor; (2) the act of restraining a bird by hand or cloth. Creance – A long training line used when flying a bird during early training sessions. Eyas (or Eyass) – A young bird taken from the nest for training. Frounce – A disease caused by the protozoan Trichomonas gallinae, common in pigeons and dangerous to falcons. Haggard – A wild-caught adult raptor, traditionally used in falconry but now restricted or illegal in many countries. Hood – A leather head covering used to keep a bird calm by blocking its vision. Imping – The process of repairing broken feathers by grafting in new ones. Jesses – Leather straps attached to the anklets, allowing the falconer to control the bird. Lure – A training tool, often shaped like prey and swung on a line to exercise and recall the bird. Mews – The housing or enclosure where falconry birds are kept. Manning – The process of taming a bird by handling it frequently and exposing it to people, dogs, and hunting situations. Passage Bird – A young wild raptor captured during its first migration. Rouse – When a bird shakes its feathers, a sign of comfort and health. Stoop – The high-speed dive of a falcon when attacking prey, often exceeding 200 mph in peregrines. Tiercel – A male falcon, typically one-third smaller than the female. Telemetry – Radio or GPS tracking equipment used to locate a bird if it flies out of sight. Yarak – A state of keen hunting readiness, often used to describe hawks. --- Why These Terms Matter For a beginner falconer, knowing these terms is not just about sounding knowledgeable. Each word reflects a specific practice, tool, or behavior essential to the safe and ethical handling of raptors. For example, understanding the difference between an eyas and a passage bird determines how you approach training. Recognizing when a bird bates or rouses helps you read its body language. --- Historical Roots of Falconry Vocabulary Falconry terms are deeply rooted in history. Many English words come from Norman French after 1066, while others have Arabic origins due to the Middle Eastern influence on European falconry. For example, “yarak” is derived from Turkish, while “mews” comes from the Old French muer, meaning “to change,” referring to molting. --- Modern Additions to the Glossary While medieval falconers did not use telemetry or GPS, today these terms are essential. Modern falconry combines ancient tradition with technology, ensuring birds can be tracked safely during free flights. Terms like telemetry and transmitter are now as common as hood and jesses. --- Practical Application for Beginners When joining a falconry club or apprenticeship program, you will hear these terms constantly. Using the correct vocabulary shows respect for the tradition and helps you integrate into the falconry community. Many licensing exams also require knowledge of these terms. Advanced Terms for Developing Falconers As beginners progress, they will encounter more specialized vocabulary. For example, “bind” refers to the moment when a raptor seizes and holds its quarry with talons, while “enter” describes the first time a trained bird successfully takes a particular type of prey. Another important word is “cadge”, a portable perch used historically to carry several hawks at once. These terms may not appear in everyday training sessions, but they are part of the deeper tradition of falconry and are still used in advanced discussions, books, and competitions. Understanding them helps apprentices transition into more experienced falconers who can converse fluently within the community. --- The Role of Language in Falconry Tradition Falconry is not only about hunting—it is also about preserving a cultural heritage that spans centuries. The vocabulary itself is a living record of this history. Words like “austringer” (a falconer who works with hawks of the genus Accipiter) or “brancher” (a young bird that has left the nest but cannot yet fly well) remind us of the depth of knowledge passed down through generations. By learning and using these terms correctly, beginners show respect for the craft and ensure that the language of falconry remains alive. --- Conclusion Falconry is more than a sport—it is a cultural heritage with a language that has survived for centuries. By learning this glossary, beginners gain not only practical knowledge but also a deeper connection to the tradition. Whether you are handling a Harris hawk, training a red-tailed hawk, or simply studying the art, these terms are the foundation of your falconry journey.