Falconry Mews & Housing Standards Every Apprentice Must Know

A mews is the purpose-built facility where a falconer houses and conditions a raptor, and its design is regulated by federal law under 50 CFR Part 21 and mirrored in nearly every state falconry statute. The apprentice exam consistently tests housing standards, perch types, and facility security requirements — knowing the rules in detail is essential to passing.

TL;DR: Your mews must be escape-proof (secured door, no gap > 1 inch), weatherproof, predator-resistant, and ventilated. The minimum inside dimensions for an apprentice bird are 8 × 8 × 6 feet. Perches must be appropriate to the species. You will be tested on all of this.

What is a mews and why is it regulated?

A mews is an enclosed housing structure for a falconry bird, used when the bird is not actively being flown or trained. Federal regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) require falconers to provide adequate housing for raptors, because raptors are federally protected species even in the hands of a licensed falconer. The regulations set minimum standards that states must adopt or exceed.

The minimum facility requirements for an apprentice-class bird (a Red-tailed Hawk or American Kestrel) are:

• Inside dimensions: At least 8 feet × 8 feet × 6 feet (length × width × height)
• Construction: Solid sides or covered wire/netting
• Door: Must be fitted with a secure latch that cannot be opened by the bird from inside
• Gap size: No gap, crack, or opening larger than 1 inch — to prevent escapes and bar entry by predators

These numbers are tested directly on the apprentice exam.

What is a weathering area?

A weathering area is a separate, secure outdoor space where a falconry bird can be tethered to a perch and exposed to sun, wind, and natural light — conditions that benefit feather condition and behavior. It must be:

• Fully enclosed with netting or wire
• Covered to prevent predator access from above (hawks, owls, raccoons)
• Free of any gap larger than 1 inch
• Located where the bird is protected from domestic animals

Weathering is a regular part of falconry husbandry. A bird that is properly weathered maintains better feather condition and is less likely to develop behavioral problems from confinement.

What perch types are used in falconry?

Perch choice depends on the raptor species. The two main categories are block perches and bow perches.

Block perches are cylindrical or tapered wooden or padded posts. They are used primarily for falcons — birds with a naturally upright posture that rest most comfortably on a rounded, elevated surface. The block mimics a rocky outcrop or cliff ledge.

Bow perches are semicircular perches, often made of metal rod padded with Astroturf or leather. They are designed for hawks (buteos and accipiters) and harriers, which prefer to wrap their feet around a curved surface. A Red-tailed Hawk in apprentice training will typically use a bow perch.

Using the wrong perch type for a species can cause foot problems and behavioral stress. The exam will ask you to match perch type to bird type.

Exam tip: Falcons → block perch. Hawks → bow perch. This is one of the most reliably tested pairings on the apprentice exam.

What are jesses, leashes, and swivels?

These are the three primary tethering components used whenever a raptor is on a perch or carried on the fist.

Jesses are short leather (or synthetic) straps attached to the bird's ankles. Traditional mews jesses have a slit for attaching a swivel; field jesses (also called slitless jesses) have no attachment slit and are used when flying free. The distinction matters: mews jesses can catch on branches and cause injury if worn in the field.

Swivels connect the jesses to the leash and prevent twisting. A bird that twists repeatedly against a swivel would otherwise tighten the jesses and potentially injure its ankles.

Leashes attach the swivel to the perch. Leashes must be long enough to allow the bird to stand comfortably and bate (jump off the perch) without hanging — but short enough to prevent contact with the ground or other surfaces that could cause injury.

What are the hood and glove used for?

A hood is a leather head covering that blocks the bird's vision, reducing stress and preventing the bird from bating toward visual stimuli. Hooding is a skill that requires patience and consistent practice. When hooding a newly acquired raptor — such as a first Red-tailed Hawk — the approach should be patient, calm, and methodical. Rushing the process causes fear responses that set back training.

A falconry glove (gauntlet) protects the falconer's hand and wrist from the bird's talons during carrying and feeding. For large birds like Red-tailed Hawks, a heavy glove is essential.

What is a lure and when is it used?

A lure is a weighted object — often a padded leather pouch or dead prey tied to a cord — used to recall a bird and condition it to return to the falconer. For falcons, lure flying is the primary conditioning and recall method. The lure is especially useful for conditioning falcons because it mimics aerial prey and builds the flight muscles and instincts needed for hunting.

Live lures (live tethered prey animals) are reserved only for true emergencies and are generally prohibited under normal training. This is directly tested: the exam asks when live lure use is acceptable, and the answer is true emergencies only.

Frequently asked

What are the minimum inside dimensions of a mews for an apprentice bird?

The federally required minimum for an apprentice raptor mews is 8 feet × 8 feet × 6 feet (length × width × height). States may require larger dimensions.

What is the maximum gap allowed in a mews structure?

No gap, crack, or opening in the mews may exceed 1 inch in any dimension. This prevents both escapes and predator entry.

Why are field jesses different from mews jesses?

Field (slitless) jesses have no attachment slit, so they cannot snag on branches or brush when the bird is flying free. Mews jesses have a slit for attaching the swivel during tethering but must be swapped for field jesses before releasing the bird to fly.