Hello, I am Christopher Thomas, new to falconry, but not new to nature in general. Particularly I like to hike, do mountain biking, and would those opportunities afford themselves often, camping as well. Since college has started, I haven't been doing much of any of those.

I live in Brevard County, in Cocoa Beach, FL

I've had an interest in birds of prey, and saw a show on falconry recently. It wasn't my first show, but it was most interesting. Ray Pena from http://www.flightoftheraptor.com/ and hosted a show called "Birds of Prey" at a Renaissance festival. I watched the first showing...then returned for the second so I could see him fly the other birds. He had in total:


  • Male Harris Hawk
  • Female Harris Hawk
  • Saker Falcon
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • (some sort of) Kestrel
  • Eurasian Eagle Owl (I think)

Fascinating show. Prior to speaking with him, I didn't know much about falconry, how to become a falconer, or what the laws were.

I've found that it can be economically feasible. A sun conure can cost upwards of $650 or thereabouts, for instance. Raptors are trapped. The difference mainly being that the raptor isn't a pet, and the conure is. The point is that carefully planned, falconry could be exercised even on a low income.

Honestly though, I have little clue as to how to get my foot in the door. I'm certain I'd get direction over time, and find a sponsor, something which I am not yet ready for. Still, getting to know a falconer local to my area couldn't hurt. Also I have began building falconry equipment.

Here is the portable perch: http://www.nafex.net/showthread.php?p=122218#post122218

If anyone lives local to that area, feel free to holler.