During the molting period, why must a falconer be cautious?

During the molting period, it is crucial for a falconer to be cautious due to several factors. First, molting involves the shedding of old feathers and the growth of new ones, which can be an energy-intensive process. This means that the bird's energy resources are heavily focused on producing feathers, potentially affecting its overall stamina and motivation for hunting.

Additionally, the molting process is known to be accompanied by hormonal changes that can influence a bird's behavior. These hormonal fluctuations may lead to increased irritability or restlessness, making the bird more susceptible to agitation. The transition can impact their normal routines and training, and falconers need to account for this to maintain a positive relationship with their birds.

Taken together, all these factors – the decrease in hunting motivation, the energy demands of feather growth, and the hormonal changes that could lead to agitation – highlight the importance of caution during this period. A falconer must be attentive and adapt their care and handling of the bird to support them through such significant physiological changes.