Peregrine Swift

Licensed falconer who communicates better with birds of prey than with most humans, a comparison she does not consider unflattering.

15 articles

Writes for The Falconer's Flyby

Joined February 10, 2026

Articles by Peregrine Swift

Annual Jess-Crafting Competition Ends in Controversy Over 'Decorative Stitching' Debate

Purists argue that jesses should be 'functional, period,' while a new generation of falconers insist that a contrasting saddle stitch 'hurts absolutely nobody.'

Falconer's Weathering Yard Rated 'Peaceful' by Airbnb Guest Who Did Not Notice the Hawks

The five-star review praised the 'rustic charm' and 'beautiful bird sculptures' before the guest realized the sculptures were alive and 'making direct eye contact.'

Peregrine Falcon Clocked at 242 MPH in Stoop, Immediately Disqualified for Not Being in an Authorized Speed Zone

The record-breaking dive was documented by three independent radar systems but invalidated by the International Falconry Speed Board because the stoop occurred 'slightly outside the designated measurement corridor.'

Falconer Explains Difference Between Hawk and Eagle for 45 Minutes, Listener Retains Nothing

The comprehensive explanation covered Accipitridae taxonomy, wing loading ratios, and hunting styles. The listener came away with 'one's bigger.'

Hunting Season Preparation Begins Six Months Early After Falconer Remembers Last Year's Disaster

The falconer's pre-season checklist now includes 87 items after the previous October's 'equipment cascade failure' resulted in a lost hawk, a broken anklet, and a citation for trespassing.

Falconry Meet Disrupted by Drone Enthusiast Who 'Just Wanted Cool Aerial Footage'

The $1,200 drone lasted approximately nine seconds after entering the airspace of 14 hunting raptors, none of which appreciated the competition.

Apprentice Falconer Passes Exam on Third Attempt, Immediately Trapped by Red-Tail With More Experience

The passage red-tail, estimated at five years old, had evidently been trapped and released before, as it stepped into the bal-chatri with what witnesses describe as 'the resignation of a commuter boarding a train.'

Hawk Temperament Chart Goes Viral After Falconers Add 'Holds Grudge for Geological Periods'

The chart rates raptor species from 'mostly reasonable' to 'will remember that you dropped its food in 2019,' with goshawks occupying their own category labeled 'choose violence.'

Falconer's Telemetry Receiver Locates Missing Hawk in Neighbor's Living Room Watching Television

The goshawk entered through an open window and was found perched on the back of a La-Z-Boy recliner, facing the television, which was tuned to a nature documentary about hawks.

Manning Process Described as 'Just Like Building Trust With a Cat, Except the Cat Can Sever a Finger'

The apprentice falconer's analogy was immediately corrected by three master falconers, then quietly acknowledged as 'not entirely wrong.'

Red-Tailed Hawk Catches Rabbit, Falconer Spends Next 40 Minutes Explaining to Hikers That This Is Legal

The falconer produced a federal permit, a state license, and a laminated FAQ card before one hiker asked 'but does the bird consent?'

Falconer's Jesses Reviewed on Etsy as 'Cute Bracelet,' Falconry Community in Disbelief

The handcrafted kangaroo leather jesses received five stars from a buyer who wore them to brunch, prompting the craftsman to add 'NOT JEWELRY' to every listing.

Non-Falconer Asks 'Can I Pet Your Bird?' for the 10,000th Time, Falconer's Eye Begins to Twitch

The falconer has developed a four-minute educational response that begins with 'no' and ends with a detailed explanation of talon pressure per square inch.

Harris's Hawk Refuses to Hunt Unless Falconer Plays Specific Podcast During Drive to Field

The hawk, named Duchess, has developed a preference for true crime podcasts and will bate repeatedly if the falconer switches to music or silence.

Falconer Spends $3,000 on Custom Mews, Hawk Prefers Sitting on Top of Refrigerator

The climate-controlled, cedar-lined enclosure features a weighted perch, bath pan, and astroturf flooring. The hawk has not entered it once.