Everything You Need to Know About Falconry Equipment
Being a falconer means that you get to work with beautiful and clever animals. Training a bird of prey not only requires special certification but a great deal of dedication. The sport of falconry has been in existence for over 4000 years, and much of the same falconry equipment is still being used today.
What types of falconry equipment are there?There is a wide variety of falconry equipment for sale on eBay, some of which may be a complete necessity to the sport or optional training and care tools. Starting out, you will need a falconer’s cord with an anklet, gloves made of tough material, and a perch. While you're training and caring for your bird, you may need to use some of the additional types of falconry equipment.
- Telemetry tracking device and bell
- Bathing trays
- Vests to carry training supplies
- Prey animal imitation lures
- Falconry hood
As a rule of thumb, all falconry equipment should be exceptionally durable and safe for the bird. Generally, parts that make direct contact with the bird should be made of leather to prevent trauma to the bird's body while it's training. If you choose to purchase used falconry equipment, make sure there are no visible signs of damage or missing parts which could cause harm to the animal.
Which pieces do you need for a complete falconer’s cord?A falconer’s cord is made of several intricate parts that move gradually instead of at once. When the bird tries to fly away from your glove or its perch, the harness protects the bird from immediate shock. Because of this, a basic falconer’s cord must consist of the following parts.
- Two anklets with metal eyelets
- Field jesses attached to swivels
- A field leash
- A tethering ring (if the bird is sitting on a perch)
Since your falconry gloves will be put to use for a long time, they need to fit securely and comfortably on your hand. To measure your hand for a correct fit, wrap a measurement tape just below the knuckles on your palm. Once you get the diameter of your palm, you can compare your measurements with the following size chart.
- Extra small: 15.24cm - 17.78cm
- Small: 17.78cm - 19.05cm
- Medium: 20.32cm - 21.59cm
- Large: 21.59cm - 22.86cm
- Extra large: 24.13cm - 26.67cm