Raptors in Captivity

by Lori R Arent

A first-of-its-kind resource, Raptors in Captivity is designed as a reader-friendly reference tool covering a wide range of topics from choosing a suitable species, to housing and transportation, diet, medical care, equipment, training. Raptors in Captivity is the recommended US Fish & Wildlife Service 'bible' for the care and keeping of raptors in captivity -- an incredible endorsement! If you're a zoo, rehab center or a falconer, here are the guidelines for safely caring for raptors -- and complying with permits.Covers a range of topics from making the decision to keep raptors and choosing suitable species, to housing and transportation, diet, medical care, equipment, training, and recovering a lost bird.

Genres: Birds, Animals, Wildlife, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Soren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had an incredible amount of detail and information. Nearly every explanation was coupled with an easy to decipher diagram.

[Donald Lanham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information for anybody who works with raptors or is thinking about it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

never really done with this kind of book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it deserves all five stars, maybe it doesn't... the bottom line is that the book delivered what I needed. Through my job I am fortunate enough to be the primary trainer of a peregrine falcon and a spotted/barred owl. Wheeeeee, except I lack raptor training experience and felt like I was making it up as I went along. I tried turning to literature for guidance and kept coming up empty (for example, traditional falconry books don't say anything about owls). This is a unique book addressing the care and keeping of captive raptors. Besides a very reassuring chapter on training techniques, it includes information on housing, feeding, transport, diseases, etc. I really enjoyed the extent of the species list, always considering weirdos like owls and vultures in addition to hawks and falcons. They even have a summary of each raptor species that describes appropriateness for education and/or display purposes (although I wish there was a chart of recommended weight ranges for the various species). More on training would have been nice, too. Hurrah for books that help with life.

By the way, the raptor training this summer has gone well. The peregrine is very relaxed around me and happily takes tidbits of meat off my glove (we're still working on the put-your-feet-on-it part). The owl sits on the glove and I can walk around with him, although success is highly dependent on the time of day. They're good lads!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it deserves all five stars, maybe it doesn't... the bottom line is that the book delivered what I needed. Through my job I am fortunate enough to be the primary trainer of a peregrine falcon and a spotted/barred owl. Wheeeeee, except I lack raptor training experience and felt like I was making it up as I went along. I tried turning to literature for guidance and kept coming up empty (for example, traditional falconry books don't say anything about owls). This is a unique book addressing the care and keeping of captive raptors. Besides a very reassuring chapter on training techniques, it includes information on housing, feeding, transport, diseases, etc. I really enjoyed the extent of the species list, always considering weirdos like owls and vultures in addition to hawks and falcons. They even have a summary of each raptor species that describes appropriateness for education and/or display purposes (although I wish there was a chart of recommended weight ranges for the various species). More on training would have been nice, too. Hurrah for books that help with life.

By the way, the raptor training this summer has gone well. The peregrine is very relaxed around me and happily takes tidbits of meat off my glove (we're still working on the put-your-feet-on-it part). The owl sits on the glove and I can walk around with him, although success is highly dependent on the time of day. They're good lads!

[Deanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really comprehensive book on the care of raptors, specifically those to be used in education programs. Even though I've already spent almost 3 years myself working with education raptors, I felt I learned a lot from this book. On top of that, I definitely appreciate all the hard work that went into training the birds that were already trained when I showed up. I already knew the WHAT of training, but this book explained the WHY, showed me WHY it was important to do the things I was doing. It also gave me insight into how handlers should interact with their avian companions, and how different species react and act differently. A great, must-read book for anyone working with educational raptors.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic, informative read. This book is really geared toward program raptors and how to house, feed, train, etc. for programming. This book focuses on how to man raptors, not free-fly them. One of my favorite parts is a break down of common species used in programs which rates them as novice, beginner, advanced, and expert for the handlers and caretakers. Obviously not a light read, but great info for anyone working with raptors in an educational program setting. I would highly recommend.

[Sarah Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just started working with Raptors and was told by my trainers that this book is the Bible when it comes to raptor care. Of course there is a lot more material out there that I need to read, but this is a very comprehensive book and covers more then just the basics of pretty much all a raptor handler/trainer will need to know. I know it is a book I will be using for reference often. The lists of recommended further reading are particularly useful as well.

[The Wildlife Center of Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reference for care of captive raptors.