Raptors (birds of prey)

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis)

SignsRed, swollen footpad, scabs or ulcers, standing on one foot or avoiding the perch, limping

PreventionVary perch thickness with artificial turf, rope wrapping or cork. Prevent obesity; check talons and footpads weekly

Aspergillosis

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, abnormal breathing sounds, voice change, weight loss, lethargy. Often develops after stress

PreventionVentilated, mold-free, clean environment. Avoid stress such as long transport or environment changes. Early detection is key

Pellet abnormalities

SignsNo pellet (casting of undigested matter), foul odor, excess mucus, casting takes a long time

PreventionRecord pellet frequency, shape and odor daily. Include bone and feathers in the diet for natural castings. See a vet if abnormal for 2 days

Metabolic bone disease

SignsCommon in young birds. Bone deformities, wing or leg fractures, inability to fly, seizures

PreventionNever feed boneless meat only. Whole-prey diet including bone and organs, plus calcium and UV light

Parasitic diseases

SignsWeight loss, diarrhea, white plaques in the mouth (trichomoniasis), abnormal breathing sounds (air sac mites), dull plumage

PreventionFecal exams at intake and 1–2 times a year. Use reliable frozen feed; never feed wild birds or wild rodents

Heatstroke

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, wings held out and drooping, unsteadiness, limp and slow to respond

PreventionShade and airflow in summer; air conditioning above 25°C. Avoid direct sun when tethered outdoors; keep a bath dish available at all times

Wing or leg fracture

PreventionCheck leash length and tangling when tethering. Prevent collisions in flight; use leather jesses, not chains

First aidDo not handle; cover the head with a cloth to calm the bird, place in a box, keep dark and warm. Do not splint yourself; see a vet the same day

Broken talon or beak

PreventionCheck regularly for overgrown talons and beak. Avoid environments with hard metal or netting that can snag

First aidPress bleeding with gauze and apply styptic. A chipped beak or a talon torn from its base needs a same-day vet visit

Abrasions from jesses

PreventionJesses and anklets must be properly sized, soft leather. Inspect the skin under the anklets regularly

First aidRinse the wound with saline, remove the jesses and rest. See a vet if redness or swelling spreads

Collision / bruising

PreventionMark windows and mirrors for indoor free flight. Train in open, safe areas

First aidKeep dark and warm, and rest. Head tilt, bleeding or a drooping wing means see a vet immediately

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched raw feed or droppings

PreventionWash hands after preparing feed and after care. Use separate cutting boards and tools for feed, and disinfect

Psittacosis

RouteInhaling dried droppings or dust; mouth-to-beak contact

PreventionMist before cleaning and wear a mask. Tell your doctor you keep birds if you have fever or pneumonia

Infection from talon or bite wounds

RouteWounds from sharp talons or the beak

PreventionAlways handle with a glove. Rinse wounds under running water; see a surgeon if deep or swollen

Avian influenza

RouteContact with wild birds, wild rodents as feed, or their droppings

PreventionNever feed wild prey. Avoid wild-bird contact while tethered outdoors; report unusual deaths to the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Food

• Fully thaw frozen mice, chicks or quail and feed once daily in the evening
• Aim for 8–15% of body weight; weigh every morning and adjust
• Whole prey including bone, feathers and organs. Meat alone causes malnutrition

Water

• Change a shallow, wide dish for bathing and drinking daily
• Water comes mainly from thawed feed, but keep clean water available, especially in summer

Toys & play

• Few toys; let the bird forage by hiding food
• Inspect jesses, leash and glove daily as training equipment
• Encourage feather care with a bath dish

Nest, bed & hideout

• Perches of varied thickness with artificial turf or rope wrapping
• No nest box needed. Provide a covered hiding spot where the bird can settle

Bedding & litter

• Change newspaper or pet sheets on the floor daily
• Wipe perches soiled with droppings (urates) daily
• Use gravel or artificial turf for easy cleaning when tethered outdoors

Cage / housing material

Wooden frame with vertical bars or netting. Soft netting that does not damage wings; no metal mesh

Size & space

Deep enough to flap without the open wings touching the walls. Large species need at least 2 m square

Layout

• Perches at varied heights, far enough from walls that wings do not touch
• Bath dish and feeding platform where droppings cannot fall in
• Double doors at the entrance to prevent escape

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sun, air-conditioner drafts, noise and heavy foot traffic
• Outdoor enclosures must keep out wild birds, cats and crows

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free flight only for trained birds, in open areas
• Tethering (block perch) a few hours a day, always within sight
• Feeding in the evening after exercise makes training easier

Temperature & humidity

Temperature15–25°C. Most tolerate cold well but are sensitive to heat

Humidity50–60%. Ventilate to prevent mold (aspergillosis)

Summer & winter

• Summer: avoid direct sun, keep below 25°C, bathing and fans, shade when tethered outdoors
• Winter: northern species tolerate cold but shield from wind, rain and condensation. Keep tropical species warm

Nail trimming

Overgrown talons pierce the footpad. Trim only the tips with proper clippers; if unsure, have a specialist vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. Feathers are kept in condition by bathing and preening. Broken or lost feathers affect flight, so record them and see a vet

Other care

The beak wears naturally; ask a vet to cope an overgrown beak. Check the footpads and skin under the jesses weekly

Protection from predators

• Prevent attacks by crows, cats, weasels and kites while tethered outdoors
• Never keep in the same space as dogs or cats; never leave unattended while tethered
• Control mosquitoes and mites with screens and cleaning; block contact with wild birds

Foreign-body ingestion

May swallow leash pieces, rubber, string or small metal. Keep foreign objects out of feed; if swallowed or the crop is distended, see a vet urgently

Being stepped on

Rarely on the floor, but sick or injured birds will be. Watch your feet, and always handle with a glove and calm movements

Getting pinched

Toes and wings get caught in door or net gaps. Hanging from a tangled jess or leash is a common accident. Always supervise while tethered

Falls

Falls from the perch due to a tangled leash or fracture. Lay soft flooring; if the bird falls and cannot move, suspect a fracture and see a vet immediately

Escape

Check jesses for wear and use double doors. If the bird escapes, call it back with food and track with telemetry if fitted. Report to the police and public health center and alert the neighborhood

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and check where the bird's feet are
2. Cover the head with a cloth to darken and calm it
3. Open the toes one at a time from behind and release slowly
4. Place the bird on a perch or your arm and keep your distance for a while

After the release

Talon wounds are deep and infect easily. Rinse under running water and press to stop bleeding; see a surgeon if redness, swelling or heat develops

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, feeding and pellet records, photos of droppings, type of feed, CITES registration certificate. Confirm in advance that the clinic treats raptors

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: watch the chest rise and fall, open mouth, drooping wings
• Heartbeat: place a hand beside the keel and feel for a rapid beat
• Consciousness: cover the head and check response to stimulation and eye movement

Stopping bleeding

• Press the site with clean gauze for several minutes
• For talon or beak bleeding, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• For wing or body bleeding, keep pressing during transport

Transport

• Darken with a hood or cloth over the head; the carrier should be small enough that the wings cannot open
• Non-slip lining on the floor, keep quiet and still, no direct heating or cooling