Howard the Harris hawk has begun his rigorous training for him to take part in flying displays

Howard, the 6 month old bird of prey, is being trained by keeper Chris Wilkinson to become a falconry display bird at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. He is joining fellow raptors the Barn Owls and the American Eagle Owl at the farm.

Head keeper Chris Wilkinson explains how an untamed hawk can be trained, “Training a bird begins with a process called ‘manning’, which is getting the hawk to become familiar with the keeper’s presence and to trust him as a loyal provider of food. This is done by offering food (in this case dead baby chicks and small rodents), and having lots of patience! I’ve also been taking him around the farm to see all the surroundings he will fly above, such as the rhinos, bison, and deer enclosures.”

Once the hawk is comfortable with the keeper and its new surroundings it can be taught how to fly across to its food. This is the stage that the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm hawk is at. Howard is learning to fly short distances from his perch to a piece of meat held by the keeper’s gloved hand whilst bound to a line (called a creance).

The distance he will travel for food will increase until eventually he can fly freely over the farm and then return home to the keeper’s glove during falconry displays.

Visitors can see Howard and the other birds of prey in the Falconry section of the Show Pens at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol throughout the week Monday – Saturday, 10:30 – 5:00.

ENDS

Contact:
Adam Beaumont, on 01275 852606, or at adam.beaumont@noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Failand Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG

Notes to editors:
1. The Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), is a medium-large bird of prey native to South America, in particular Chile and Argentina
2. A Harris’s Hawk can just about catch and kill a rabbit, but its natural prey are small rodents and reptiles
3. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is a 100,000 visitor/year tourist attraction, just 6 miles out from Bristol, started in 1998. Animals include Rhinos, emus, wallabies, camels and 80 other types. Longest hedge maze in the world. Huge indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds. For more details see our website: www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk