Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

Yesterday, l went to Warwick Castle and had a wonderful day.

On arrival, l saw that the Falconry Show (The Falconer’s Quest) was about to begin. As my son and brother in law were very interested in falconry, my son had an owl when he was teenager and my brother in law had an American Red Tail, a buzzard and owls, l was very excited to watch the show.
It was set idyllically on the banks of the river Avon and narrated, explaining how the birds first came to Warwick Castle in 1356.

I was not disappointed, it was spectacular and mesmerising to see those birds in flight. Most of their faces were quite ugly with massive fat beaks but their bodies, with some of them having a wing span of 10 feet, were glorious to look at and watch in flight.
I saw various Eagles, a Condor, various owls, a perigrine falcon plus many others.

Yes l did enjoy the show but it did make me wonder, if some people would see this as a form of cruelty?

What do you think? Or do you enjoy this sort of show?

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

Lucky you - I love Warwick Castle.

In two minds about Falconry Shows. On the one hand it does seem a little unkind to keep such wonderful birds in cages - but - as long as they are still able to fly free regularly and are properly cared for perhaps it is not so bad.

On the other hand - it may be the only opportunity we have to see these beautiful creatures.

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

I feel the same Tabbs
I love the show though the best one I have ever seen was at Taronga Zoo Sydney Australia .
It’s was amazing and it’s setting - overlooking Sydney Harbour spectacularl.

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

ST, l had a spare ticket you could have had, as my friend was unable to go with his swollen eye. I gave it to a family in the queue and they were thrilled as tickets are £26 for adults and £22 for children.

Yes, you’re right about the opportunity to see these birds that we would probably, never have seen ever.

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

Muddy, I bet it was! I just wanted the show yesterday, to go on forever, it was so good.
I must ask my son if he ever went to see the one you saw, when he lived in Sydney?

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

I would like to go to Warwick Castle it’s sounds lovely .
In fact at this point in time I would like to go anywhere .

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

Muddy, It was fairly quiet there, yesterday. The sun was out, the children back at school and hardly any tourists.

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

Raptors are beautiful birds but to be honest, I do not like to see them tethered in captivity.

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

Nor me Mags. If we could fly would we want to be in a cage or tethered? It must be wonderful to soar in the sky wherever you like.
Why do we think it's ok to keep any bird in captivity?

Re: Falconry Shows... A Good Or A Bad Thing?

view from top of Warwick castle taken with my first digital 2mp kodak camera in 2002

the Mound first fortified in 1068 with a wooden stockade replaced with a stone keep in 1260

I took loads of photos of the Castle back then