Newly-hatched Goshawk chicks identifiable by color, before seamless bands can be fitted. Photo credit: J. Bathke

In the wild Goshawks can be found in both deciduous and coniferous forests. The adults feed the babies until they are about 70 days old, while especially attached young stay up to a year around their parents. For the adorable little fluff balls in the picture above however, Jimmy Bathke is their guardian. 

These are Goshawk babies that were produced in captivity. Bathke, a permitted raptor propagator in Washington, feeds these chicks by hand and will raise them for abatement falconry when they mature. The colors marked on their heads are so Bathke can tell them apart until he bands them with a seamless metal band. He will band them within 10 days of hatching while the band can still slip over their feet. 

Notice the seamless band on the older Goshawk’s leg. This bird has been learning how to fly and hunt, skills that will serve the bird well in abatement or sport falconry activities. Photo credit: J. Bathke

Permittees like Bathke work with the Service to make sure that all their birds are banded, and that those bands are the right fit. Seamless bands like the band pictured above, are required to breed falcons for a number of benefits.

In addition to sport and abatement falconry purposes, permit holders raise captive raptors to aide in conservation and recovery efforts of threatened and endangered species by chasing away would-be predators. Captive raptors also reduce the pressure of their kin being taken from the wild. 

Raptor Propagation permit holders like Bathke are authorized to possess, barter, sell or purchase “native” raptors listed in Migratory Bird Treaty Act 10.13 list. 

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All Permittee’s featured in our “Permittee of the Week” blog series have been issued one or more Federal permits by the Service. They are federally permitted professionals.  It requires unique skills and more knowledge than most people realize. It is also a field with unique risks. Migratory bird rehabilitators and educators take care of difficult situations with birds that few people can properly or safely handle.

We ask that those who read our blog series do not try this at home.