Falconry is an ancient sport, evidence for which started in ancient Mesopotamia around 2000 BC, while images from Central Asia in the 7th century often showed men on horseback with a falcon on their arm. Falconry is defined as the sport of taking wild prey called a quarry, in its natural state and habitat, by means of a trained hawk. More than any other form of bird keeping, this is not something to be undertaken lightly. To start keeping a hawk, proper training should be received beforehand, so you understand how to keep and handle these magnificent birds. Basics The first thing to remember is that all birds of prey are carnivores. This means that they will need raw food every day. They need proper accommodation and care but are not pet birds as they will not tolerate being fussed. The British Falconers Club does not recommend anyone under the age of 16 should have a hawk of any kind unless they have continuous assistance from an experienced falconer. Experience is one of the most important factors in successful keeping hawks. The recommended species to start falconry with are the Harris Hawk (Parabuteo uncinctus) or the Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). These are great hunting hawks who are happy in our countryside and can take a variety of quarry. Other species such as the sparrowhawk, peregrine and Merlin can be more difficult to train and also need specialist countryside to hunt, such as heather moorland or fen country. A traditional idea was to start with a kestrel, but this is now not recommended due to their small size and pickiness when taking a quarry.