Why is taking an eyas Red-tailed Hawk from the nest preferred over trapping a passage Red-tail?

Taking an eyas Red-tailed Hawk from the nest is preferred for several reasons, primarily related to the training and habituation process. When eyas hawks are taken at a young age, they are more amenable to bonding with their handler and are generally easier to train. This is due to the fact that they have not yet developed aggressive behaviors that can be seen in older, more mature birds who experience more exposure to natural stresses and predatory instincts.

Additionally, eyas hawks have not yet established their own hunting patterns, making it easier to instill desired hunting behaviors as they grow. They are also more adaptable to being in a human-controlled environment, which can contribute significantly to better overall health during their development into trained falcons.

On the other hand, trapping a passage Red-tail, which refers to an older bird that has already learned survival skills, can present challenges. These birds might be more difficult to acclimate to handling and training, and they may come with ingrained behaviors that can complicate the falconer's efforts in terms of building trust and establishing control. In summary, the advantages of taking an eyas hawk stem from their pliability and the opportunity for shaping them into successful falconry partners.