'He's a friend but not a pet': Falconer flies trained, yet untame, Goshawk in semi-urban areas in Europe, faces recurring issues with people ignoring warnings in attempt to touch bird, risking injury and disrupting the hawk’s training

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Aug 22, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Not every animal is meant to be a pet, and even if wild animals have been trained by humans for years, there is no guarantee that their wild-sides won't run free…That is why it is so important to ensure keeping your distance from these types of animals, and if you really can't resist the urge to pet them or get close, make sure to check with its owner. They will likely have a good gauge of the animals current mood and body language…which needs to be examined before putting another person in possible danger!

This falconer is fed up with people allowing their children and animals to get too close to his bird, when he's clearly told them today is not his day…This isn't some yorkie whose not in the mood for cuddies, this is a wild animal whose moment of rage could leave severe consequences. 

So how do you deal with entitled people not taking no for an answer? 

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  • However, could he be in the wrong from bringing a dangerous animal into a semi-urban space? I mean i doubt there a sign that reads ‘Please don't bring your birds here,' but maybe it's time to invest in one. It could save the falconer a lot of frustration and the rest of people a much lower chance of ending up in the ER…

  • 01
    Falconer with a bird
    via MirellaST

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    "Why can't I pet the hawk?!"

    I'm a falconer. I have a goshawk. I fly birds in semi urban areas in europe. Here falconers control the local bunny population
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 03
    I'm a falconer. I have a goshawk. I fly birds in semi urban areas in europe. Here falconers control the local bunny population because they threaten the
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 04
    structural integrity of dams. My hawk isn't tame. He's used to humans, cars, everything. I can work with him and can touch him. This animal is incredibly temperamental and sensitive. Usually he's alright with human touch
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 05
    and even lands on friends arms if I call him to them. He perches on my bare arm and only send me to the hospital once since we met. That being said he is still a raptor and a
    via True-Composer-7854
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    living creature with opinions, feelings and claws strong enough to pierce through the palm of my hand an poke out the other side. He could REALLY hurt me if he wanted to or if I did him wrong.
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 07
    Sometimes we train by me walking and him following above and diving down to grab a snack from the glove. People meet us, ask questions etc. That's fine and I love to answer questions. Sometimes he's in the mood to sit there calmly,
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 08
    sometimes he's agitated and people are usually very understanding when I tell them he's not in a "people mood" and wants to keep distance. I don't let strangers touch him. AND THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO INSIST ON PETTING HIM.
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 09
    I'll tell people no, he does not like it at all, and they still insist because they've seen birds in shows and "they're all tame anyways". NOT THIS ONE.
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 10
    This is a hunting bird. He's a friend but not a pet. My hands are scarred from ignoring raptors body language when I started doing this. I still get light slaps from time to time, that's normal for some
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 11
    more spicy birds. But SOMEHOW I still get parents insisting that their children MUST BE ALLOWED to pet this bird. Did you know that the high pitched shrieks of whining kids sound similar enough to a d ng rabbit that my hawk, while I keep
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 12
    the children away, instinctively clamps down on my arm? THAT F ING HURTS. Same with dogs who just want to "sniff the bird" according to their owners. If the dogs get their teeth to close he will claw them and he aims for eyes.
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 13
    WHY THE FK CANT YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS, CHILDREN OR DOGS AWAY FROM A RAPTOR? Every time I have this situation my bird is stressed and any negative association
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 14
    Child reaching to man
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    with me or training takes WEEKS to be undone. You risk a hand, I risk the bird just flying away forever because someone insisted on being an entitled idiot. I've got insurance for 10 million of damage against people or property in case I can't diffuse the situation and I'm sure I'll need it at some point in my life.
    via True-Composer-7854
  • 16
    MAKSassy People are stu id. Can't win, don't try. Wear a t-shirt or big pin and/or hat that says "DANGEROUS BIRD IN - TRAINING - STAY AWAY!" whenever you're with the bird in public.
    via q
  • 17
    Mirgroht Thats awesome that you have the experience to have it as your friend. I like birds of prey in general and have held a number but at no point did I think to stick my hand anywhere near their beak.
    via q
  • 18
    star_b_nettor I absolutely love to pet animals, but I ask and if the answer is no, then the answer is no and I'm not gonna push.
    via q
  • 19
    Sensitive Note 1139 Just today, I read a post about a farm owner who has some pettable animals. One of the larger animals is a llama, which can be picky. Some Karen showed up with her kids and decided her kids could ride the llama. Llamas are not built for riding. Apparently, the Karen got so feisty that the llama spit in her face. Good llama. OP said the kids were really nice though.
    via q
  • 20
    CADreamn I have a friend who is a falconer. I completely understand everything you've said. These are not pets and they will F you up if you don't listen to their trainer. I just admire from afar and keep my distance.
    via q
  • 21
    -Flying Fox- These are the same people who think walking up to a wild Buffalo is perfectly okay. But I can't imagine the stress you go through with these people. And I looked up the talons of a Goshawk and ouch!!
    via q
  • 22
    CorHydrae8 Ask those people if you can pet them in return. When they deny, ask "why not? I'm sure you're tame."
    via w
  • 23
    HealthyInformation87 ??? I'm confused, this is a wild animal not a pet. If you can't control it, it's wild. Not a pet. Why have it near humans. Not a pet. Release this beautiful raptor, because, it's not a pet. Set it free, because, it's not a pet.
    via w
  • 24
    StrictShelter971 Very smart to have that insurance. There's going to be that one idiot who is going to learn about FAFO.
    via w

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petting dogs animal stories pets beak birds trained tame mood story bird claws hunting body language dangerous train animals falconer children wild
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