Falconry: Hunting with Harriers

Yeah I've lost a few ducks to Northern Harriers. I always tip my hat at such a beautiful fellow hunter. Great video. I don't falcon but your channel is very interesting.

Though I have zero interest in Harrier hawking, I completely agree with Ben here, we should not eliminate any birds from the possibility of being used in falconry. The only reason to ban a bird from use is if they are endangered or threatened.

Outstanding... I didn't expect such an in depth video so soon after making the request. Well done. 👍👍 Thanks Ben.

I've always been fascinated by Harrier's and curious about their potential, especially after reading some of Hamerstom's works on them. Thanks for providing your insights. You seem to have a very reasonable attitude about them, while still acknowledging their shortcomings for use in falconry.

i appreciate how calm, articulate, and patient you are. i'm really inspired by the way you teach. public outreach is so important for raptor conservation, but education is something i struggle with during my raptor banding demonstrations.

The ways you described hunting with them (letting them do their thing how they would in the wild and bush hawking) both sound like fun to me honestly! If I ever am in the right headspace to become a falconer, I’ll add “hunting with a harrier” to my bucket list

My goodness; didn't expect such beauty. My deepest regards to you. Thank you for sharing.

Ben, your content is utterly fascinating. As are the voices you use for the birds. Lol thanks for all this wonderful info.

Hi Ben! Another great video. I love that you're hitting on some topics that you won't likely get anywhere else.

Very informative video, thank you Ben!

Thank you for another insightful video :) I've been asking this question forever! I've heard: "too dainty," "too small of feet," "not compatible w humans". But, I had never heard of anyone giving it a shot in N. America. Neat!

You did great right here! I didn't expect you to talk about the Haast Eagle here, that's quite an amazing bird! I sure wished that eagle still existed, because it would have broken boundaries in Falconry for sure! As far as Harriers go, yeah, the style of hunting is a little unorthodox, but its still interesting!

Actually Ben New Zealand used to also have a giant harrier. It was a forest adapted bird like a goshawk. It is also debated as to whether it or the hasst Eagle went extinct first.

Fascinating! I've loved Harriers since I was a kid, but I had no idea about them going towards gunshots/duck hunters. I'd have thought because of their sensitive hearing they'd fly away from the sound.

A friend and falconry mentor flew a broadwing hawk 20 years ago. He car-hawked it on sparrow and grackles. It was the most unpleasant hawk to be in the car with as it screamed the entire time and could hold his own in a screaming contest with a parrot Only went with him willingly one time.

Really lovely birds..they have an amazing amount of wing /tail area, probably able to fly with tiny thermals. I also found the very forward-facing eyes quite interesting, it may fit with there low-level flight, with excellent depth perception for small 'targets ' .interesting video, a good 'pros and cons' approach. Thanks, always interesting, even for a 'lurker' / non-falconer ;-)

Fascinating hearing the dynamics and outer limits of birds that can be flown.

Nice video, Ben! They're cool birds. Very graceful and agile. I would be tempted to fly a male if they were legal to take from the wild in this state. There was a juvenile (passage) male that spent the fall and winter hanging out in my neighborhood, taking advantage of my sparrow and starling trapping efforts. He would follow me around hoping for a handout and actually caught a house sparrow one day, that I inadvertently flushed while heading towards my traps. He apparently left the area for the spring and summer, as I haven't seen him since late March. I hope to see him again in the fall, maybe in his new adult colors.

A harrier in my neighborhood scarfed up all the Goldfinches we were feeding. Well over 50 birds in about 3 months, just in my yard. Incredible hunter.

I don't see Northern Harriers much, but I recently got a close look at one flying. It reminded me very much of how kites fly