A beginner's falconry kit contains the equipment needed to handle, house, weigh, train and locate the intended bird. The right list depends on that bird and the work planned with an instructor, so a starter kit needs checking item by item.
Learn what each tool does before comparing brands. You can then ask why a particular size, material or arrangement is appropriate. A piece of equipment can be well made and still be the wrong choice for your bird.
What belongs in a starter kit?
Build the list around tasks rather than a supplier's bundle. The New York State Falconry Examination Manual describes equipment and terminology used in falconry; it is useful background, although its legal sections are specific to its jurisdiction and publication date.[1] Ask a local instructor to connect that background to current practice.
Start with a written list and leave room for the specification your instructor recommends. Separate what you need before acquisition from items whose selection depends on the actual bird. This avoids buying a hood or handling arrangement simply because it appears in a photograph.
Do not use the total number of items as a measure of readiness. Knowing how to inspect, fit and use a smaller selection matters more than owning a large collection. Keep packaging and model information until the equipment has been checked.
What does each item do?
Different tools solve different problems. These definitions are a starting vocabulary for instruction, not directions for fitting equipment to a bird.
| Item | Main purpose | Question to ask your instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Glove or gauntlet | Provides a protected handling surface | Does this suit the bird and my handling? |
| Anklets and jesses | Form part of a handling and tethering system | How are these selected and checked? |
| Leash and swivel | Form part of the tethering arrangement | Which configuration is appropriate here? |
| Hood | Limits the bird's visual stimulation | Is it appropriate, and who checks the fit? |
| Perch | Provides a place for the bird to stand | Does the whole arrangement suit this bird? |
| Scale | Measures weight | Can I obtain a stable, repeatable reading? |
| Lure | Provides a training target | What role does this design have in training? |
| Creance | Provides a line for supervised training flights | Who will demonstrate its use? |
| Tracking equipment | Helps the falconer locate the bird | Can I operate it during a recovery? |
Jesses are the straps used as part of the bird's handling equipment. A creance is a training line. A lure is an artificial target used in training. Ask to see the components separately before trying to understand how they work together.
Which choices depend on the bird?
Fit, handling requirements and intended use should guide the choice. Avoid translating a species name directly into a shopping order. Even within a species, equipment may need individual assessment.
For hoods, compare style, purpose and fit rather than choosing by appearance. For scales, begin with the practical requirements in the daily weighing guide. A display with many decimal places cannot compensate for an unstable setup or an inconsistent routine.
Ask how the equipment will be stored and inspected. A tool that is difficult to examine or organise can create unnecessary confusion during handling. Discuss which components are consumable, which can be serviced and what the maker says about maintenance. Do not invent a replacement interval just to fill a calendar.
What should a mentor check?
Ask your mentor to review the complete arrangement before it is used. An item-by-item inspection can miss how parts interact. The British Falconers' Club welfare code is a useful wider framework for keeping the bird's needs central to equipment decisions.[2]
Prepare a short handover list: what the item is, who made it, why it was selected and what you still need to learn. If you cannot explain its role, keep it on the questions list. A salesperson's assurance is useful information, but practical instruction still needs to happen.
How should you compare tracking systems and costs?
Compare the complete usable system, including required accessories and instruction. A transmitter, receiver and phone application may be separate parts of a product. Ask what is included, which devices are compatible and what you need to practise before using it with a bird.
Our telemetry introduction explains the distinction between bells, radio signals and GPS information. Avoid treating a tracking purchase as a guarantee of recovery. The practical question is whether you can interpret the information and act on it.
Keep a budget with quoted prices and dates rather than relying on an unsourced universal starter cost. Include facilities, ongoing care and access to appropriate veterinary help in your wider planning. Falconry Scale's features page explains the separate role of digital records; an app complements equipment and instruction rather than replacing them.
Questions falconers ask
Does every falconry bird need a hood?
A hood is not a universal answer to every handling situation. Whether it belongs in your equipment plan depends on the bird and the way it is managed. Discuss its purpose, fitting and introduction with your instructor. Buying one because it appears in a starter kit does not establish that it is suitable.
Can I buy a complete starter kit?
A packaged kit can be a shopping convenience, but its contents still need individual assessment. Ask your mentor to review each item against the intended bird and use. Find out which sizes are included, what is missing and whether items can be exchanged before assuming that a complete package is ready to use.
Is telemetry the same as GPS?
Telemetry is the transmission of information over a distance. Falconry tracking systems may provide a radio signal for direction finding or send GPS location information through a separate communication link. Check the specific system. A GPS label alone does not establish its receiver requirements, mobile coverage needs or recovery procedures.
Sources
- [1]New York State Falconry Examination Manual, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 2013 (accessed 2026-11-04)
- [2]Falconry Welfare Code, British Falconers’ Club (accessed 2026-11-04)
