Thanks guys.
Mark.
The handler feeds her chicklets and quail. However when they hunt she gets to eat some of her catch. It depends a bit on herweight. All birds have a “flying weight”. Under that weight and the are very hungry, not fit. Over that weight and the bird doesn’t want to “fly” much less eat. Just like trout they want maximum nourishment with minimal effort to conserve energy, especially in winter.
Her flying weight is 930 grams.
At 950 she’s not very interested in flying.
Because you can’t control the bird there is always a risk it will take something thats not in season. Right now Rabbit’s in season until June.
If she smokes a Duck (out of season currently) they have to employ whats known as “Let Lie”…In other words the bird gets her feed, but what ever isnt eaten, must be left to spoil or become a meal for somethin else. It cant be “harvested”.
Theres 3 pics here of a Red Tail catchinh and eating a Cotton Tail if hes interested in see a bit of thei behavior. The one pic it’s disembowling the Rabbit, so as to get to the better organs ( highly preferred)
Pics 6,7 and 8
http://jben.zenfolio.com/p966495226
These aren’t pets, and they arent treated like them, so no they dont typically come in the house unless theres a really good reason, injured or extreme cold. Harris Hawks are native to Texas so if it gets super cold, under -30 the handler I go with will bring her in for the night occassionally. Frost bite of the Talons is the end of the Hawks hunting days. as they’ll fal off.. Otherwise they stay in their Mews.
J