Applied Behavioral Analysis and

Reading Body Language in Raptors

“The most basic description of falconry ethics is ‘to do right by the bird’,”

Mike McDermott, The Imprint Accipiter

Why ABA?

• All behaviors have an antecedent and a consequence

• A behavior that repeats itself is reinforced, period.

• Understanding the pattern of behavior is the only way to problem solve and shape

However, understanding body language is crucial to ABA.

Importance of Body Language

• Feathers are subtle

• Raptors are even more foreign to our sensibilities than parrots

• Body language is the key to positive relationships

• Body language is the key to health and successful release

How to Develop Raptor Skills

• Teach ABA basics to raptor handlers

• Learn to read body language through simple training

• Focus on positive reinforcement

• Avoid superstitious training and embracing negative reinforcement

• BEHAVIOR not weight.

Using Jump Ups

• Learn to Learn

• Physical Conditioning

• Relationship Building

• Train the Trainer

Rousing

Bathing

Head Flipping

Relaxed, Comfortable Falcon

Eye Shape – Raised Hackles

Eye Shape – Fanned Tail

Mantling

Bating

Aggression

Ultimate Benefits

• Ease Bating

• Avoid Feather Breakage

• Eliminate Aggression

• Avoid Stress (and stress-related disease, such as aspergillosis)

Taking it to Practice

• Demonstrate, don’t berate.

• Be positive, reward clients for the good.

• Provide tools and resources.

• Encourage the learning curve.