Falcon Handler

Role Overview

The Falcon Handler is entrusted with the comprehensive daily management of falcons, focusing on their care, training, conditioning, transportation, and overall welfare to promote optimal health and performance. This position demands mastery of appropriate handling skills, vigilant observation of bird behavior, and strict compliance with animal welfare and safety protocols.

Primary Duties

• Ensure secure and professional handling, restraint, and transport of falcons.
• Provide daily nourishment, hydration, grooming, and routine husbandry for the birds.
• Closely monitor the health, behavior, physical state, appetite, and activity patterns of the falcons.
• Support training, conditioning exercises, and flight preparation activities.
• Prepare falcons for training, demonstrations, hunting, competitions, or other operational engagements.
• Maintain and inspect falconry equipment such as jesses, leashes, gloves, hoods, perches, and transport containers.
• Perform routine checks on all equipment, reporting damages or hazards promptly.
• Maintain clean, safe, and well-suited housing and facilities for the falcons.
• Keep accurate logs of feeding routines, weights, health status, training sessions, and treatments.
• Recognize signs of illness, injury, stress, or abnormal behavior and report these promptly to appropriate supervisors or veterinarians.
• Assist with veterinary care, medical treatments, vaccinations, and facilitate safe transportation between sites.
• Adhere strictly to established falconry practices, animal welfare standards, and company procedures while ensuring compliance with wildlife and environmental regulations.
• Coordinate closely with falconers, veterinarians, trainers, and other team members to support operational goals.
• Participate in facility upkeep and assist with preparing birds and equipment as needed.
• Promote continuous improvements in falcon care, training, welfare standards, handling techniques, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications and Requirements

• At least secondary school education or equivalent qualification.
• Previous experience in falconry, bird handling, animal care, wildlife management, or similar fields is advantageous.
• Practical understanding of falcon behavior, feeding routines, and basic husbandry skills are beneficial.
• Experience with birds of prey or large bird species is highly preferred.
• Physical fitness to handle and transport birds and related equipment safely.
• Comfortable working outdoors under varying weather conditions.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent observational skills.
• Patience, calm demeanor, and responsibility in working closely with animals.
• Able to recognize behavioral and physical changes indicating health concerns.
• Good communication, teamwork, and record documentation capabilities.
• Ability to follow all safety guidelines, animal care standards, and handling protocols accurately.
• Flexibility to work varied hours including weekends and public holidays as per operational demands.
• Commitment to safety, discipline, reliability, and animal welfare.
• Willingness to engage in additional training related to falconry, animal handling, and safety.