How Much Does a Trained Hawk Cost? – [Facts Explained]

Hawks are one of the most glorious birds that are famous for their bravery throughout the world. But have you ever imagined how much does a trained hawk cost?

The cost of a fully trained hawk can go up to $1000 excluding shipping and health certificate charges. The training process is quite tedious and time-taking, which makes it so expensive.

Although you can also buy untrained hawks and their chicks at a relatively lower cost. You can directly order them from the breeders but you should know that even an untrained hawk will cost somewhere around $800.

That too for the male and the female bird even cost more than that. In this article, I’ve explained how much does a trained hawk cost? Not only this, but I have also mentioned why is their training so expensive.

Besides that, you will also learn about different types of hawks. So keep on reading!

how much does a trained hawk cost?

Before you buy a hawk it is very much essential to know about the different types of hawks. Therefore, I’ll make things easier for you by explaining each type’s features.

1) Harris Hawk

This particular kind of hawk has the strong ability to capture its prey with ease. The easiest way to identify this bird is by its crest which is short, black, and stout. Along with that, its head is red-orange in color.

The small size of the hawk makes it easier to fly. Harris Hawk also has a thick neck along with a broad chest which allows it to tighten harder while struggling for food.

2) Red-Tailed Hawk

This kind of hawk has sharp eyesight and a long tail. Their short and rounded wings make it easy to grasp food in the air. The best time to spot this hawk is in the early morning or late evening.

3) Red Shoulder Hawk

This kind of hawk has red-brown feathers on its shoulders and chest with dark brown spots all over its body. This hawk is also known as a red hawk or duck hawk. The upper side of the bird’s wings is marked with brown color while the undersides are marked with reddish-yellow color.

4) Bald Eagle

It is famous for its white head and tail along with piercing eyes. This majestic-looking bird lives near large bodies of water along with mountains. You can easily identify it by its distinctive cry that is often mistaken for a human voice.

5) American Kestrel

This hawk is also known as Sparrow Hawk and is the smallest raptor in North America. With a length of about 9-10 inches, it is easy to spot this hawk during the winter months. The best time to find this bird is early morning or late evening.

6) Swainson’s Hawk

This hawk has dark brown upper parts with lighter brown streaks and pale underparts. Along with that, it has a long tail which is usually banded with black and white stripes.

7) Peregrine Falcon

This raptor is known for its amazing speed which can go up to 200 mph (321 km/h). The best time to spot this bird is early in the morning.

8) Goshawk

This beautiful-looking raptor has a black head with a crest. Moreover, it has a white throat and breast which makes it easy to identify during the spring season. Along with that, its underparts are barred with dark brown color.

9) Golden Eagle

This raptor is easily identified by the golden feathers on its head and nape. Moreover, it has dark brown feathers all over its body with a whitetail. The eagle is often spotted near water and can be identified by its distinctive cry.

Now that you know about different types of hawks, let’s move on to the main topic i.e. how much does a trained hawk cost?

As I have already mentioned, the cost of a fully-trained hawk can go up to $1000 excluding shipping and health certificate charges. Apart from that, you should know that the cost can go even higher depending on where you are buying it.

For example, in some countries, a specially trained hawk for hunting can cost double the price.

So, if you are planning to buy a hawk, be prepared to spend a good amount of money.

Why is the cost so high?

The main reason for the high cost of a trained hawk is the extensive training that it requires. In order to become a successful hunter, the hawk needs to be taught how to identify its prey and capture it with ease.

Apart from that, the hawk also needs to be trained in how to fly with a rider and retrieve the game. All of this training costs a lot of effort and hence, the high cost of a fully-trained hawk.

Why Do People Buy Trained Hawks?

There are many reasons why people buy trained hawks. Some people use it for hunting, while others use it for entertainment purposes.

For example, some people keep hawks as pets while others use them for falconry demonstrations.

Apart from that, some companies also use hawks for security purposes to scare away birds and other animals that might damage their property.

What is Falconry?

Falconry is a hunting technique in which a trained hawk or falcon is used to catch its prey. The word “falconry” comes from the Latin word falco which means falcon.

Moreover, it is a practice that has been followed since ancient times and was especially popular in England during the 15th-18th century.

The person who is responsible for flying the trained hawk is called a falconer. They use various techniques to hunt their prey including luring, kiting and still hunting.

What is the difference between Hawk & Falcon?

Hawks and falcons are both raptors that can be trained to hunt.

However, there is a slight difference between the two. Hawks belong to the Accipitridae family while falcons belong to the Falconidae family.

For example, if you go to Australia, you will find a lot of hawks but no falcons.

Apart from that, hawks are usually smaller in size as compared to falcons. They also have shorter wings and tails. Lastly, hawks usually hunt during the day while falcons prefer to hunt at night.

So, these are some of the most common types of hawks that you can find in the United States. Now that you know a bit more about them, I hope it will be easier for you to identify them the next time you go out for a bird-watching session.

Hawks that are Best to Train

Now that you’ve already learned the training cost of different types of hawks and falcons. You might be wondering which hawks are the best to train. So I have compiled a shortlist for you which will help you learn about the best hawks for training.

Red-Tailed Hawks

The first and the most common type of hawk that is used for training is the Red-tailed Hawk. They are found all over North America and can be easily identified by their rusty-colored tail feathers.

They are medium-sized hawks and can be trained easily due to their calm temperament. Moreover, they are also proficient in catching prey and have good vision.

Harris’s Hawks

The Harris’s Hawk is another type of hawk that is commonly used for training. They are found in the Southwestern United States and are known for their aggressive hunting behavior.

They are large hawks and can easily take down prey that is twice their size. However, they can be difficult to train as they are very moody.

Goshawks

Goshawks are the largest type of hawk that is used for training. They are found in North America, Europe, and Asia and are known for their speed and agility.

They can be difficult to train as they are very independent and have a strong will. However, once they are trained, they can be very effective hunters.

Peregrine Falcon

The last type of hawk that you should consider when choosing a trained hawk is the Peregrine Falcon. They are also commonly used for falconry and can be found in Europe and North America.

They are very fast birds and have no problem catching prey during flight. However, it is important to note that they are also the most expensive type of hawk to train.

So, these are some of the best hawks that you can consider when training a hawk for hunting. Make sure to do your research before making a decision and be prepared to invest in a good-quality hawk.

Last Minute Thoughts

So How Much Does a Trained Hawk Cost? The cost of training a hawk or falcon can vary depending on the bird’s size, temperament, and hunting skills. However, in general, the cost of training a hawk or falcon ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.

So, if you’re thinking about getting a trained hawk or falcon, be prepared to spend a good amount of money.

As you can see, the costs of buying and training hawks vary greatly depending on size, location, and other factors.

However, if done properly, training a hawk is actually quite easy. And once it is trained, these birds provide an amazing hunting experience that you will never forget for the rest of your life.

So, if you are interested in learning more about hawk training, I suggest you do some research and get started today.