“Just because we have wings doesn’t mean we know how to use them!”

The first leap into the void is only the beginning of a long and complex journey, made of attempts, mistakes, falls, and constant practice. Having wings is not enough: young raptors need developed muscles, coordination, experience, and the ability to interpret a world that, from a new perspective, looks completely different.

In the days following fledging, young birds of prey spend most of their time training. Their feathers are not yet fully grown, lift is limited, and every take‑off requires enormous effort. It’s not uncommon for them to end up on the ground after just a few metres of flight, among tall grass, bushes, or crevices from which taking off again can be difficult.

In the wild, parents continue to follow them for weeks or even months: they encourage them to fly, call them from above, guide them, and keep feeding them while they gradually learn to become independent.

The post‑fledging period is one of the most delicate phases of the entire life cycle, and juvenile mortality reaches its highest levels precisely in the first weeks after leaving the nest, mainly due to predation, accidents, and inexperience.

For the release of young Lanner Falcons in the LIFE Lanner project, the hacking method is used with individuals raised through social imprinting, in which the role normally played by the parents is taken on by the operators. Through controlled freedom and specific techniques, the young falcons are supported during this sensitive period as they develop the muscle strength needed for flight, gain confidence in their movements, and progressively learn to hunt on their own.

It is a crucial step: the success of a reintroduction does not depend solely on the birth or release of individuals, but above all on their ability to achieve true independence.

To learn more about the method used, you can request the Guidelines for the rearing and release of Lanner Falcons using the hacking technique for free at the link: https://docs.google.com/…/1kBvkJ3a9nhipRgDM…/viewform