Can You Get a Pet Kestrel?
Kestrels are small, compact falcons that are known for their ability to hover in place while hunting. Their elegant flight patterns and fierce hunting skills have made them popular among falconers for centuries. So can you actually get a kestrel as a pet?
Is it Legal to Own a Kestrel?
In most parts of the United States, yes, it is legal to own a kestrel as a pet. Kestrels are classified as raptors, along with other birds of prey like hawks, eagles, and falcons. Raptors are regulated under federal and state laws, but private individuals can obtain permits to keep them.
Here are some key regulations on pet kestrels in the U.S.:
– You need a falconry permit from your state’s wildlife agency. This involves passing a written test on basic biology, care, and handling of raptors.
– Your state may have limits on which kestrel species you can own. The most common pet kestrel is the American kestrel. Others like the Eurasian kestrel may be off limits.
– Your birds must be captive bred – capturing wild kestrels is illegal without rehab permits.
– You’ll need to build suitable housing called a mews for your kestrels. This is inspected before receiving a permit.
So while the permitting process can be complex, getting a pet kestrel is legal with the proper licenses. Regulations are in place to protect wild bird populations and ensure ethical treatment.
Are Kestrels a Good Fit for a Pet?
Kestrels can make rewarding pets for the right owner. Here are some key considerations:
**Time Commitment**
– Kestrels are not low maintenance pets. They require daily interaction, training, and supervised time outside of their enclosure. This is to meet their physical and mental needs.
– As hunters, kestrels need daily exercise flying outdoors. Owners use creance lines, which let the bird fly while attached to a tether.
– Training sessions reinforce the bird’s comfort around people and stimulates its natural behaviors. This helps prevent issues like aggression.
**Costs**
– Housing, equipment, veterinary bills, and feed add up. The initial costs of building or buying an enclosure can easily exceed $1,000.
– Ongoing costs like feed, supplements, and vet visits will be hundreds of dollars per year.
– Hawking equipment like jesses, leashes, and gloves is required to handle and fly the birds safely.
**Temperament**
– Kestrels are prey-driven birds. Their instinct is to chase and attack small animals and even inanimate objects that move. This makes handling tricky.
– A nervous or poorly trained kestrel may mistake human hands for prey and bite or claw. Protective gloves are a necessity.
– Their natural wariness means they may never be as affectionate and relaxed as a parrot. But they can bond closely with owners.
**Lifespan**
– Captive kestrels generally live 10-15 years. This requires a long-term commitment.
– Re-homing a kestrel you can no longer care for can be difficult due to state regulations. Make sure you’re in it for the long haul.
So while rewarding, kestrels have high needs. They are best suited for experienced bird owners willing to be hands-on. Breeders or mentors can provide guidance for new falconers. Patience and commitment are crucial when deciding if a kestrel is right for you.
Choosing a Kestrel Species
If you decide to get a pet kestrel, you’ll need to choose what species is permitted in your state and best suits your skill level:
**American Kestrel**
The most popular pet kestrel is the familiar American kestrel, sometimes called a sparrow hawk.
Size | 7 – 12 inches long, wingspan 20 – 24 inches |
Coloring | Rufous upperparts, white with black spots below |
Range | Americas |
Temperament | Bold and aggressive compared to other kestrels |
Pros:
– Readily available from breeders.
– Able to thrive in a variety of housing conditions.
– Less nervous and high-strung than larger falcons.
Cons:
– Not as flashy as some exotic species.
– Often stubborn and highly food-motivated during training.
**Eurasian Kestrel**
The Eurasian is the most widespread kestrel worldwide. But regulations may prohibit importing or owning them in some regions.
Size | 12 – 14 inches long, wingspan 26 – 30 inches |
Coloring | Blue-gray upperparts, rusty spots below |
Range | Europe, Asia and into North Africa |
Temperament | Skittish but trainable; powerful flyers |
Pros:
– A striking and regal look. The sharp contrast between cool gray and warm rust is beautiful.
– Longer wings provide graceful, buoyant flight.
– Often readily available from European breeders.
Cons:
– Wary of people and hands; may never be as tame as American kestrels.
– Powerful flight makes them more challenging for beginners to handle safely.
– Importing exotic birds always carries risks of disease.
**Other Species**
Depending on your location, you may be able to obtain rarer kestrel species like the Lesser Kestrel. But their specialized needs make them poor choices for beginners. Get experience with American or Eurasian Kestrels first before attempting more delicate species.
Creating Proper Housing
Kestrels are active hunters, so housing must allow safe exercise and flying room. Typical setups include:
– Outdoor aviaries or mews – these predator-proof enclosures allow room to fly outside safely. A sheltered area for roosting is provided.
– Indoor aviaries – spare rooms can be adapted into flight cages with perches and space for short flights.
– Falconry boxes – minimalist housing for transporting birds to flying grounds. Not suitable for permanent living.
No matter the housing type, several elements are essential:
– At least 6 feet tall to enable short flights. More height allows longer flying paths.
– multiple perches at varying heights made of natural wood. These need to be easy to disinfect and replace.
– Outdoor aviaries must prevent access by predators. Sturdy wire mesh netting is a must.
– A secluded roosting box makes the bird feel secure while resting.
– Plenty of ventilation if indoors. Kestrels are prone to aspergillosis fungus if air flow is poor.
– An easy-clean floor of gravel, concrete or turf. Dirt floors harbor bacteria.
– No toxic cleaners, paints or preservatives which could sicken the bird. Natural wood and soap and water washing are best.
– A double-door entryway prevents escapes. Kestrels are crafty!
Getting creative with housing allows you to provide for their enrichment. Some keepers install bird-safe plants, ponds, or even play tunnels to stimulate natural behaviors in captive birds.
Acquiring Your Kestrel
You’ll need to source a kestrel from one of the following methods:
**Captive Breeders**
The best option is to locate an experienced, licensed kestrel breeder. Hand-raised baby birds (eyasses) will be well socialized and adapted to humans. Reputable breeders focus on health, not mass production. Avoid unlicensed sellers or pet stores.
**Wild Rehabbers**
Some rehabbers receive injured kestrels they restore to health but that lack skills to survive in the wild. Adopting these non-releasable birds is an opportunity. But their early trauma may lead to imprinting issues.
**Retired Racing Birds**
Falconers sometimes retire former hunting birds as pets. Adult birds may be calmer and better trained. But their racing injuries could cut their lifespan short. Vet checks are crucial.
**Captured Wild Kestrels**
Capturing wild kestrels is illegal without the proper migratory bird permits. This should never be attempted by beginners. The extreme stress of capture leads to dangerous health and behavior issues. Avoid supporting any black market wild birds.
No matter the source, quarantine new birds for at least a month before introducing them to other pets. This prevents disease spread just like with any new pet.
Caring For Your Kestrel
Here are the basic care guidelines to keep a pet kestrel healthy and happy:
**Diet**
– Whole prey like mice, chicks or small birds. Provide a few mice per day. Supplement with raw meat scraps.
– Commercial falconry diets can also be fed but are not complete nutrition alone.
– Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Change it daily.
– Vitamin D3, calcium and other supplements are often needed for birds lacking natural sun exposure and whole prey.
**Cleaning**
– Replace soiled perches, roost boxes and turf/substrate frequently.
– Disinfect housing weekly or anytime it’s soiled to prevent dangerous pathogens. Avoid strong chemicals.
– Baths keep plumage healthy. Provide pan of water or light water spray. Never fully soak bird.
**Exercise**
– Supervised time in an outdoor aviary or flying on a creance line provides crucial exercise.
– Ample flying time helps prevent obesity which strains the kestrel’s delicate bones.
**Enrichment**
– Rotate novel perches and toys to prevent boredom. Introduce new items gradually to avoid startling bird.
– Allow the bird to work for its food as it would in the wild by offering whole prey in crevices.
– Interacting positively helps socialize the bird to human contact and training.
**Veterinary Care**
– Annual exams, preventative care and prompt treatment if illness occurs are vital. Falcons are great at masking illnesses.
– Common issues include overgrown beaks and talons, parasites, aspergillosis, obesity and arthritis.
– Certificate of Veterinary Inspection may be required for travel or transfer of birds.
Following these guidelines helps ensure a healthy, enriched life for your kestrel. Proper care allows them to thrive and display their amazing natural behaviors.
Training Your Kestrel
Kestrels aren’t affectionate parrots content with petting. The excitement of training a hunting bird to fly to your glove and chase lures is a primary appeal. Here are kestrel training basics:
**Getting Started**
– Begin handling and getting your bird comfortable with you from a very early age. This conditions them to human contact.
– Start by having the bird perch on a glove for its food reward. Only offer food when it is sitting properly on the glove.
– Slowly increase distance and duration of time the bird stays on the glove as it becomes more consistent.
**Advancing to Free Flight**
– Introduce a creance (tether) line and have the bird fly short distances between you and a perch. Reward with food.
– Gradually allow longer flights down the creance, working up to full length and back. Frequent rewards keep motivation high.
– Once totally solid on the creance, begin trying free flights. Start very short to ensure the bird returns. Slowly increase distance.
**Maintaining Consistent Training**
– Frequent short sessions are more effective than occasional long sessions.
– Keep training positive. Never yell or react angrily to misbehavior, which can undo trust. Simply end the session calmly.
– Weigh the bird frequently to be sure it maintains proper “flying weight”. Overweight birds won’t fly well.
– Use a consistent cue like a whistle to call the bird back during free flight. Offer jackpot rewards for prompt returns.
Proper falconry technique takes lots of patience. A lost bird is a real risk. But careful, gradual training minimizes risks and frustration. Working closely together forges a well-bonded human-bird team.
Getting Started With a Pet Kestrel
Kestrels aren’t considered beginner’s birds, but with sufficient preparation and commitment they can make outstanding pets. Here are the first steps for getting started:
**Educate Yourself Extensively**
Read books, take falconry classes, and network with experienced handlers before acquiring a kestrel. Hands-on mentoring is ideal. Learn how to recognize and prevent common health issues.
**Check Local Laws and Acquire Permits**
Make sure it’s legal to own a kestrel in your area and research the permitting rules. Be sure you can comply with facility inspections and requirements like membership in falconry clubs.
**Build Proper Enclosure and Gather Gear**
Set up housing, perches, baths and all required equipment before bringing your bird home. Used equipment can help offset costs. Set up veterinary care.
**Choose Reputable Breeder or Adoption Source**
Do plenty of research to select a responsible source of captive bred or rehomed birds. Review licensing and visit facilities in person before purchasing or adopting a bird.
**Quarantine and Acclimate Bird**
Keep your new bird isolated from other pets initially. Slowly introduce it to its new home, family members and schedule. Build trust and prevent stress.
**Provide Proper Diet and Exercise**
Feed a whole prey based diet with ample vitamin supplements. Establish daily routines of exercise flying and human interaction to keep it fit and socialized.
**Focus on Positive Training**
Use food rewards and persistence to teach basic obedience and falconry skills like returning to your glove. Seek instruction to fine tune your technique.
Following these crucial steps sets you up for a healthy human-bird partnership that will hopefully last many years and create wonderful memories. Kestrels can be feisty and demanding, but are amazing raptors for dedicated enthusiasts to work with.
Conclusion
Kestrels are fierce little falcons that have been popular in falconry for centuries. Their athleticism in the air and deadly hunting prowess continue to make them sought after birds for experienced handlers. With patience and the proper commitment, they can make rewarding lifetime pets. From choosing the ideal species and housing to keeping them fit and training them, kestrels have complex needs owners must fully prepare for. But for raptor enthusiasts willing to put in the work, few birds compare to a kestrel perched proudly on your glove.