Falcons - Birds of Prey
John Sawkey
Lynn Oliphant with his falcon Spook, a cross between a gyrfalcon and a peregrine falcon.
Lynn Oliphant, a retired professor of Veterinary Anatomy from the University of Saskatchewan, gave an informative presentation on birds of prey at the 2008 Bird Symposium in Saltcoats.
Birds of prey have long held a fascination for mankind because of their powers of flight and ability to capture quarry as large or even larger than themselves. Falcons have been held in high esteem throughout the ages due to their spectacular ways of hunting from a position high above their quarry and the speed of their dive which can exceed 300 km per hour.
Falcons have been used by people to hunt other birds and prey for thousands of years. Their prey can be ducks, grouse and Grey Partridges. In Saskatchewan there are about 20 falconers who continue the practice.
Most people are aware of the most common birds of prey in Saskatchewan. Eagles are the largest of our birds of prey. Golden Eagles reside in Saskatchewan. Then there are accipiters which include short–winged hawks such as the Cooper’s Hawk and Goshawk. There are five species of falcons, the Merlin being the smallest.
The nesting practices of birds of prey vary greatly. Merlins will nest within 100 yards of any other bird of prey. The Golden Eagle builds massive nests. Falcons do not build nests. The Peregrine Falcon builds its nests in scooped out hollows in hills or cliffs. The Merlin takes over the nests of other birds.
In Europe the Golden Eagle is trained to hunt fox and roe deer. On the Siberian Steppes there are still people who hunt wolves with Golden Eagles.
Over the years the Peregrine Falcon has become an endangered species becoming victims of chemicals. These birds have been saved through breeding and releasing programs. However, loss of habitat and toxic compounds which find their way into the atmosphere still pose a threat to birds of prey as well as other birds and wildlife.
Hopefully as people get to know more about the birds of prey, they will make an effort to protect these birds and their habitat.
Preserving wildlife for future generations should be everyone’s goal.