Here we offer beginner falconry courses. We offer advanced falconry training for more advanced falconers. You can be part of falconry workshops designed to give you the tools you need to improve your career. Get involved with bird of prey handling to help you prapare. We are offering bird of prey experience days to help tailor your learning. Join falconry classes for all ages so you can gain the skills you need to improve your knowledge. Learn falconry skills which will help you better understand and manage a bird of prey. Falconry apprenticeship programs offered at low prices, available to everyone. Be a part of helping bird of prey conservation through unique oppurtunities in learning. Falconry certification courses recognised by an independent body to improve your learning. These are unique wildlife courses available in the UK. Be a part of hands-on falconry training offered by expert falconers. Improve your learning by signing up to educational falconry experiences tailor-made for you. We are offering bird of prey rehabilitation courses so you can improve your career in the animal industry. Get experience in falconry and wildlife management through our unique learning oppurtunities. You are a part of a community of falconry enthusiasts, all willing to help you learn. Valuable falconry bird of prey techniques only available through falconry course. We offer exciting falconry training for beginners improving your future career prospects. Be a part of interactive falconry experiences brought to you with the use of video learning aides. We are just like other local falconry schools with an online learning element. If you’re interested Write to Dan Mercer for more course information.

Do I need a licence to own or fly a bird of prey in the UK?

People often ask whether there is such a thing as a falconry licence in the UK. The question usually appears when someone first becomes interested in keeping a hawk or learning how to start falconry. The short answer is that you generally do not need a specific government issued falconry licence, but there are several important rules that shape how you keep, identify, and fly a raptor. These rules sit within a larger framework of falconry laws UK and wider wildlife legislation, so understanding where you fit inside UK falconry regulations is an essential first step.

From the outside, it can seem complicated, because bird of prey ownership laws differ depending on the species. Some birds fall under Schedule 4 species, which means you need to keep proper identification records, have a legally accepted closed ring or microchip, and maintain paperwork that proves the bird is captive bred. Other species require extra documents such as an Article 10 certificate. An A10 certificate birds of prey is used for species protected under CITES rules. It does not give you permission to fly the bird. Instead, it proves that the bird was bred legally and that you can own, buy, or sell it. If you are buying a hawk, falcon, or owl that needs this paperwork, the seller must provide the A10 as part of the captive bred bird of prey paperwork.

These requirements are in place to protect wild populations. UK raptor legislation aims to ensure that birds kept in captivity are bred responsibly and that no illegal trade enters the system. This is why bird of prey ringing requirements and microchipping birds of prey exist. Identification makes sure each bird can be traced, helps prevent wildlife crime, and supports welfare checks when needed.

A common follow up question is whether it is legal to own a bird of prey without any kind of licence. For most common falconry species the answer is yes, as long as the bird is captive bred and comes with the correct documents. Owning a hawk in the UK or owning a falcon in the UK is legal when the paperwork is correct and when you follow welfare rules. The law focuses more on responsible care rather than ownership for its own sake. This is why keeping birds of prey legally involves suitable housing, proper diet, adequate space, and access to veterinary care. The law expects owners to provide high standards of welfare, and that includes everything from perching design to the quality of the aviary.

The next major question is about flying. Many newcomers want to know if it is legal to fly a bird of prey in the UK without any sort of licence. There is no licence for birds of prey that grants permission to fly. Once you own the bird legally and have the correct identification, the act of flying the bird is unrestricted by law. What matters is where you fly. You need the landowner’s permission, a safe environment, and an understanding of how to handle public spaces. These are practical safety considerations rather than legal licensing requirements.

All of these rules tie into what you need to start falconry UK. Success in falconry relies on preparation. Before bringing a bird home you will need an aviary of the right size, a weathering area, equipment such as glove, jesses, anklets, and scales, and a solid understanding of husbandry and behaviour. Learning how to start falconry usually involves seeking experienced guidance through clubs, mentors, or structured training. Good training ensures you can fly the bird safely, recognise stress, and manage weight correctly.

There is a certain charm in the fact that UK law does not put up many official barriers. Instead, it trusts the falconer to study, to practise, and to build a strong bond with their bird. The law sets the framework. The skill sits with the person who chooses to take on the responsibility. For many people, that responsibility becomes part of the pleasure. Falconry invites you into a slow and thoughtful craft, where the rules are not obstacles but the bones of a tradition that works.