Falconry

[Anonymous]

This seems to be a thing to do in Ireland--have hawks/owls/falcons land on your arm, etc etc....Has anyone done and if so, is it worth it? Also is this a form of icky animal tourism? I can't figure it out...thanks.

[Anonymous]

I have seen it in Alaska and Vermont. I don’t think it’s icky animal tourism
Because they don’t have a zoo for the falcons etc. but the University of Chicago philosopher Agnes Callard has a nice riff on it in her New Yorker essay “against travel.” She talks about how no one ever has any interest in falconry UNLESS they are on vacation. It becomes a way of passing time not an actual avocation, etc.

[Anonymous]

Just make sure the birds are rescue/rehabilitated birds and do it in a place where falconing is actually part of the country's history and culture. When a falconry school established in 1999 is the oldest falconry school in that country, avoid that

[Anonymous]

I did it in Ireland and we went in a walk with the bird. He would fly into the trees and we would hold out a gloved arm with chicken bits in it and he would land. Did not get bad feelings since the bird could have left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did it in Ireland and we went in a walk with the bird. He would fly into the trees and we would hold out a gloved arm with chicken bits in it and he would land. Did not get bad feelings since the bird could have left.

Well, did you enjoy the experience?

[Anonymous]

Kind of related, but I was returning to Dubai, where I lived for work, on an Emirates flight once, and there were two falcons flying in Economy. They each had a little platform put up at the level of the tv (not so they could watch the tv) and were wearing masks.

Falconry is big among the Emiratis, and, fun fact!, you may not fly with your cat or dog in the cabin in an Emirates flight into Dubai, but you MAY take your falcon in cabon if you book him a seat.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend the National Aviary. I did a different encounter, but part of the family met the falcons and loved it. https://www.aviary.org/programs-encounters/animal-encounters/falcon-encounter/ I can't tell if this is the same as SkyDeck on the roof that my family did, but it says on another page they're supposed to have that available for the summer. They loved it. https://www.aviary.org/visit/

They also have other birds you can meet without having to pay extra.

I don't personally think it's icky.

[Anonymous]

We did it at Ashford Castle and I thought it was great. It was very educational and the birds all seem well-cared for. I’d recommend it.

[Anonymous]

I did it in England with someone who had been involved in the activity (sport?) for a lifetime. It was a highlight of our trip.

[Anonymous]

We did it at Dromoland castle - absolutely worth it! What majestic animals.

[Anonymous]

DH and I did it in Ireland at Adare manor. It was truly a highlight of our trip. Our guide was so kind (really, every Irish person we met was delightful) and seeing the birds up close was just magnificent. Do it!

[Anonymous]

Hershey does it.
https://www.thehotelhershey.com/recreation/falconry.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did it in Ireland and we went in a walk with the bird. He would fly into the trees and we would hold out a gloved arm with chicken bits in it and he would land. Did not get bad feelings since the bird could have left.

Well, did you enjoy the experience?

I did, it was not my pick on this trip but it was a one of a kind experience. I would do it again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kind of related, but I was returning to Dubai, where I lived for work, on an Emirates flight once, and there were two falcons flying in Economy. They each had a little platform put up at the level of the tv (not so they could watch the tv) and were wearing masks.

Falconry is big among the Emiratis, and, fun fact!, you may not fly with your cat or dog in the cabin in an Emirates flight into Dubai, but you MAY take your falcon in cabon if you book him a seat.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/falcons-planes-middle-east/index.html

[Anonymous]

The Greenbriar and the Homestead have it too. It’s fun.