I will be ordering my first hawk soon i have built my mews 14x8 feet and have most of the furniture as well.
The problem is i really would like to end up with a NON-vocal Hawk . Would a redtail be a better buy in this respect or is it all down to me as to the way i mann and train it?
You read so much about harris hawks screaming but no one ever says much about the problem with the other hawks
A Harris is always an excellent bird for beginners and experienced austringers alike. They're so versatile, forgiving and you can learn so much from them.
I've been doing falconry now for 14 years and have flown quite a few Harris's (mainly parent reared). Harris's are a sociable bird and will soon form a good bond with you, so long as you respect her needs.
I've found that non-imprinted Harris's can become slightly vocal at times when excited or frustrated, however they usually learn to control their emotions after the first season or so.
As a whole, a parent reared Harris shouldn't give you too many problems noise wise, but every bird is different!
For your first bird, a Harris is an excellent choice. A red-Tail would be my second choice for a first bird, as they can be slightly more moody than a Harris and take things a bit too personally at times. Although if handled correctly, they have the ability to perform just as well as a Harris.
Noise wise, there's not much in it. You can get 2 birds from the same clutch. One might be gobby, the other may never utter a word. It just depends on the bird and the handler!
I have read your advice and taken it on board,for some reason my brain says i should get a Harris but my Heart would like a Redtail. Yes ! I shall order a male Redtail.
Take a young new hawk to the food , not the food to the hawk. In this way it loves coming to sit on your hand even when there is no food in you hand. Hoping to spot the food that you left around. Later it helps when out huntin.
I find this can stop most harris from screeming, and its never too late to start this, if your bird starts screeming, they soon learn. Works great with goshawks.
PS. Falconers can have a bird in a hand and two in a bush
