Originally Posted by
Paul Strydom
Pete J, any thoughts?
LOL Paul. Female raptors by nature are naturally more assertive and aggressive about most everything in their lives. Males tend to be assertive, but much less aggressive about things in general, it doesn't pay dividends for them to be too aggressive, particularly during reproduction times.
Many people prefer tiercels because they are a bit more amicable and (in long wings) more aerial, and also more likely to put in a lot of effort. Females tend to have more power but also tend to be practical how they use it, which with some this can be an annoying trait when they learn they can fly prey down from a standing start if they just stick with it for a mile or so.
Imprint females can get extremely aggressive in their chambers, and particularly when they are hand me downs that are imprinted on other people. As youngsters they also tend to be forceful in the play, to the extent that a tiercel might nibble and gently grasp your hand or finger, a female will grab hard and bite...still in play but they don't know their own strength.
Is there any way around it with imprinting a female? Not really. Sometimes its the luck of the draw to get one that isn't that aggressive and may stay that way. But painting with a broad brush, the female is the sex that is the most likely to be aggressive and in some cases mean.
That being said, if you are the one on the good side of that female, she may be the absolute sweetest bird you've ever had.
Pete J
It's all just too Zen for me.