Guidance for flying displays of raptors at off-site events.
Hawk Board Guidance is purely Hawk Board’s recommendations on what we consider best practice. It is not legislation and the most up to date legislation on these practices should always be sought.
This guidance is not designed for zoo-based displays. The requirements for those can be found in the Zoo Standards (search gov.uk for “Secretary of State’s standards of modern zoo practice”). Instead this guidance focusses on flying displays at fairs, events and shows.
The free flying of birds at an event can be one of the most inspiring ways of educating the general public about the birds themselves and a wider conservation message. In addition birds used in free flight displays benefit from increased stimulation and enrichment.
A free flight display can showcase a much wider repertoire of behaviours than can be encountered in an aviary setting.
A degree of enjoyment and education should come from the interpretive message delivered by presenters but a key factor for many comes from the lack of barrier between bird and visitor and the joy of experiencing birds in free flight.
The object of any display of birds of prey should be to educate the watching public with a strong emphasis on conservation and welfare.
The following guidance is provided to help ensure that flying display operators provide high quality displays with bird welfare and public education at their heart.
In addition, this guidance is also provided to help ensure that event organisers book suitable operators.
Flying displays may take place with an accompanying static display. A separate guidance document covers the static display element.
• Event organisers should familiarise themselves with the laws surrounding flying displays and ensure that display operators meet the legislation.
• Liability insurance to the value of at least £5 million pounds should be held by all operators. The terms of this insurance should be adhered to. Operators are advised that the public handling birds without proper equipment or, for example, birds being placed on people’s heads may invalidate the insurance. It is advised that a printed copy of the insurance documents are taken to the event.
• Operators who meet the criteria for an Animal Activities Licence must hold such a licence and must meet its requirements.
• Operators who hold a Zoo Licence must meet the requirements of the Zoo Licensing Act and the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice at all times including during offsite events.
• A bio-security protocol should be prepared with particular mention of notifiable diseases, particularly Avian Influenza. All government legislation regarding notifiable diseases must be complied with.
• Risk assessments should be prepared for as many eventualities as practicable. As a minimum there should be risk assessments for:-
• Travel and transport
• Safety of the public/staff during the display
• Safety during any public handling element of the display
• A welfare risk assessment should also be prepared. The welfare risk assessment must assess against each of the 5 welfare needs of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It must state the:
• mitigating measures taken to reduce risks
• people responsible for the above measures
• Written protocols for as many eventualities as practicable should also be prepared. These should accompany the birds whilst on static display and all staff involved should be well versed in their content. These protocols could include such things as:-
• delays/break downs during transport to and from the event
• lost birds
• extreme weather, including during transport
• injury/illness of a displayed bird
• cleaning procedures and frequency
• management procedures for any human disease risks
• the prevention of, and control of the spread of, disease
• the monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of the birds
• All birds flown in the display should be well trained and conditioned in order to minimise the risk of an errant bird.
• Species used in the flying display should be suitable for the purpose. Additional thought should be given to the status of the species in the wild and endangered species should not be used or reared in such a way that they cannot be utilised in a breeding programme once they reach breeding age. It is very important that demonstration birds should not denude breeding programmes.
• All birds flown must wear suitable, slitless jesses whilst in flight and must wear functioning telemetry. All staff involved must be properly trained and familiar with the use of the telemetry system employed.
• Errant birds should be recovered as a priority. Sufficient staff must be on hand to enable their recovery.
• Staff should not use aversive physical contact when handling the birds.
• Birds should be accustomed to being in front of the public and be calm and settled, with good plumage. Birds should not show any signs of illness or disease. The welfare of the birds must be a priority at all times.
• The operator should ensure that sufficient staff are available to be able to care for the number of birds brought to an event, this includes staff to deal with unexpected situations such as an errant bird.
• All staff employed to care for the animals must have competence to identify the normal behaviour of the species for which they are caring and to recognise signs of, and take appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent, pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour. Staff should be appropriately dressed and any equipment used by them should be clean, suitable for its intended use and in good order. Staff should also be trained in dealing with members of the public.
• Birds must be transported in suitable transport to the event. Transport boxes must be clean and suitable for the purpose. The box must allow the bird to both stand up and turn around. A cadge may be used if supervised. If required, an Animal Transporter Authorisation from APHA should be held and the relevant documentation completed and retained. Details can be found on gov.uk by searching for “Transporting animals in Great Britain”
• Where possible, birds should have their own specific travel box. Where this is not an option, boxes should be cleaned and disinfected after use and in between birds. Travel boxes should hold one bird.
• As per the Animal Welfare Act, all birds should have access to clean water.
• A supply of food for the birds should be carried and consideration should be given to the safe storage of that food for the duration of the event.
• Flying displays should be accompanied by a commentary. The commentary should be factual, accurate and should not seek to sensationalise nor exaggerate the facts. Particular care should be taken to ensure that raptors are not presented as being dangerous to people. It is advised that the commentary includes reference to the conservation status of that species in the wild, and it habits and behaviour in the wild state.
• If a public address system is used the microphone should be a lavalier or a headset. Hand-held mics are only practical if the commentator is not playing an active part in handling the birds.
• Birds showing signs of agitation or distress should be removed from the display. Consideration should be given to where agitated birds can be housed. Birds should not be boxed unless in transit or immediately before their turn to fly in the display.
• Hoods should not be left on birds for longer than necessary.
• A display should not be used as a platform to sell birds.
• Article 10’s are required for all Annex A species birds on display (check https://www.speciesplus.net for details). Wild disabled birds should not be put on display to the public.
• The flying area should be free from major hazards. These hazards may include (but are not limited to) windows, power lines, nearby roads, wire fences, wind turbines, clay pigeon shoots, and even golf courses. There should be a presumption against carrying out a flying display in an urban environment.
• Consideration should be given to other animals that may be on the event site, particularly if those animals cause a potential bio-security risk or could be regarded as prey by the raptors being flown.
• The species being used in the display should be appropriate for the flying area that is available.
• Any birds waiting to participate in the flying display must be out of sight and out of reach of the birds being flown.
• Any public handling of the birds must be carefully considered and the welfare of the bird and the safety of the public must be of utmost importance. Stroking or other contact with the birds’ feathers should be avoided altogether. Any member of the public who comes into contact with a bird during a handling session must be briefed about how to behave around the bird so as to minimise anxiety, fear and stress in the bird and also for their own safety. Hand-washing facilities should be provided for members of the public who have had contact with the birds or with bird food.
If donations are sought during the flying display then it must be clear as to where the donations are going. Charitable status must not be fraudulently claimed.