Beautiful bird. What will the quarry be? I would guess the flight capabilities of the Ferruginous with the hunting strength of the Red Tail will be pretty effective.
I used to hunt Harris Hawks years ago - over ferrets for rabbits or walked up rabbits and pheasant in woodland. Fantastic fun and the unique pleasure of watching a pair of Harris Hawks hunting together never lessened.
Unfortunately, falconry - like Salmon fishing... and now deer stalking...
- is something I don't really have the lifestyle (or cash!) to do often enough to begin to call myself anything other than an interested amateur. But for what it's worth, I believe they are all similar in being rooted in a love of the countryside and a passion for wildlife and conservation that is conveniently over looked by folk that would criticise me and others for pursuing these fieldsports. Some of the most memorable hunting flights I have experienced ended with a rabbit's rear end disappearing down a distant hole rather than ending up in the game bag but I suppose it would be boring if it was easy... bit like salmon fishing and stalking then?!
On a related note I was called downstairs by the family the other day to dispose of a "big bird" that had just clattered into the conservatory. Not the blackbird I was expecting, but this female sparrowhawk!
Shame, but a chance to give the girls (3 and 6) a close look at a beautul bird of prey. Never too young to get them interested and a bit more aware of the realities of nature and make sure they are not squeamish townies. It seems to be working as when I called home a few weeks ago to tell them Daddy had finally shot his first deer the 3 year old's first question was "did you shoot it in the head?"
. Glad she is not berating me for killing Bambi but I will need to have a work about the ethics of headshots...