What should be your main focus when training a hawk with varying rewards?

Creating unpredictability in training is essential when working with hawks, as it engages their natural instincts and keeps their interest piqued. Varying the rewards can help to maintain a bird's focus and motivation, as it introduces an element of surprise and keeps the training sessions dynamic. This unpredictability encourages the bird to remain attentive and responsive, making it more engaged in the training process.

Utilizing different rewards—be they food types, training methods, or environment changes—ensures that the training does not become monotonous. Monotony can lead to a decrease in enthusiasm and responsiveness from the hawk, while a varied approach keeps the bird mentally stimulated and eager to participate.

While ensuring focus is important in training, consistent unpredictability can help achieve that focus. Standardizing the training process could lead to predictability, which may diminish the hawk's engagement. Additionally, decreasing instinctual behavior is not typically an objective in falconry; instead, honing those instinctual behaviors through training is key to successful hunting and interaction with the bird.