Falconer
Train and fly birds of prey for pest control, conservation fieldwork, and falconry displays — combining deep knowledge of raptor behaviour with practical bird management.
High
Moderate
3–5 years: informal apprenticeship with an established falconer; IAF membership; building own bird stock and business
No statutory registration; apprenticeship under an experienced IAF-affiliated falconer (minimum 2–3 years); LANTRA or Countryside Management NVQ supporting qualifications; wildlife legislation compliance essential
typical
What you do
Working falconers use trained birds of prey — falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls — in a range of practical contexts: pest bird deterrence and control at airports, landfill sites, vineyards, and urban spaces; grouse and game hawking on shoots; conservation and research fieldwork including captive breeding and reintroduction programmes; falconry display work at visitor attractions and events; and educational demonstrations at schools and wildlife centres. The training of a hawk from imping or eyass to a reliable hunting partner — the process called manning — requires extensive daily handling, lure flying, and controlled hunting sessions over months or years.
Daily bird husbandry — weighing birds to flying weight, feeding with fresh prey or chicks, maintenance of weathering facilities, equipment maintenance (jesses, hoods, perches, bells, telemetry) — is constant and cannot be delegated. The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) sets international standards. In the UK, falconers must comply with CITES and Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 requirements for the keeping and acquisition of raptors.
Working falconers are predominantly self-employed, operating pest control businesses (particularly bird scaring at airports, where a Contract Bird Strike Reduction Officer role is well-defined), running falconry experience businesses, or working as employees of visitor attractions or conservation organisations.
Why this career is resilient
Falconry-based bird deterrence is one of the most effective, chemical-free, and publicly acceptable methods of managing pest bird populations in sensitive environments — airports, food production facilities, and heritage sites. Aviation safety requirements at UK airports provide a reliably funded demand for professional bird scaring services. The depth of skill and knowledge required — an apprentice falconer typically spends three or more years developing under a mentor before operating independently — creates a strong barrier to entry. IAF membership and a demonstrated track record are the market credibility standard.
A typical day
Morning: daily routine for six birds — weigh each bird on an electronic balance, check against flying weight targets; feed those on rest days; prepare a Harris hawk for a pest control contract at a commercial landfill site. On site: fly the hawk in a series of passes over the tip to deter settled gulls; track the bird with telemetry throughout; recall and reward; assess deterrence effect and adjust pattern. Afternoon: back at the mews — train a young kestrel for an upcoming falconry experience session; fly to the lure for food reward, building duration and reliability of recall.
Routes in
Employer-funded training
Some employers — particularly the NHS, emergency services, and larger care providers — run their own funded training programmes. You apply for a job and train as you work.
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Employed falconer at visitor attraction: £22,000–£30,000. Self-employed pest control falconer with airport or landfill contracts: £28,000–£50,000 depending on contract volume.
Training costs: Birds (Harris hawk): £500–£1,200. Mews construction: £1,500–£5,000. Equipment (hoods, jesses, telemetry): £500–£1,500. Liability insurance: £300–£700/year. No registration fees.