Waitlist

Waitlist

It is first come first served for whatever you want. If you’re higher on the waitlist, you have priority in picking your bird. This means that if you want a specific bird, or specific sex, or from a specific pair, or from an earlier clutch you’ll get higher priority in making that happen. You’re not on the waitlist until you pay your down payment.

Requirements of you beyond the monetary ones

I will need at least a brief phone conversation with you before I put you on the waitlist. If you're an apprentice I might want to see photos of your intended mews and hawk furniture. My first priority is to the well-being of the birds. I used to be able to say I’ve never refused to sell a bird to anyone, but now that isn't true anymore. I’m no zealot for my way of doing things, but there certainly are wrong ways of doing things.

Another thing I need from you is for you to know your state's requirements for the import of a raptor. I've dealt with some states I know require health certificates, but otherwise lets make sure we are following all of the rules your state requires. Often these requirements stem from your state department of agriculture so keep this in mind.

Choices you have

Sex of the bird

Tell me if you have a preference on the sex of the bird(s) and what you want to have happen if I do not produce that preference for you. Make this decision carefully as there is a trade-off. For example, if you tell me you want a male, but will take a female if I don't have a male for you, and I produce a female for you, but no male and you decide you really wanted a male after all and won’t take the female I'll be entitled to keep your down payment. And conversely, if you decided that you wanted a male and wouldn't take a female, and when the time comes I don't have a male, but I do have a female, I'll skip you on the list and just send back your down payment.

Shipping

Shipping is quite the hassle unfortunately, but some of my favorite birds I have acquired this way. We are in Marysville, Washington, so if you are not coming to us to get the bird, you'll need it shipped to you. This happens over the airlines. Shipping over the airlines will require that we get a health certificate for the bird, which will be at your expense. And the crate we put the bird in will have to comply with the airline requirements. Between the cost of the crate, the health certificate, and the shipping itself, expect to pay $500 in addition to the $1,100. I'll do my best to get good prices for you, but it isn't cheap.

Age of the bird

I recommend 16-18 weeks for most people and unless we have a conversation about this issue specifically, I will assume this is the age you want the bird taken at. The larger acceptable window though is between 12 and 20 weeks.

The difference in age you take the bird will be a substantial contributor to its initial behavior. Birds taken earlier are easier to man, and bond with you quicker. They also scream and are more likely to be aggressive. Birds taken later will be quieter therefore, and less prone to aggression, but won't man or bond as quickly.

Another thing to think about on this front is socialization. A bird taken earlier will accept your specific dog quicker. And it will bond with your other Harris's Hawks quicker if you have a cast-mate already. If you don't have another Harris's Hawk though, and you hope to fly this bird in a cast some day, you should leave the bird with its parents and siblings as long as possible to socialize them that way. They won't be socialized to your specific bird, but they will learn their Harris's Hawk manners.

Keep in mind though that we are talking about Harris's Hawks. They're all on the easier side of manning compared to most raptors. And given a couple of years, the behaviors should come to the same place. A later taken bird should become puppy-dog tame and an earlier taken bird should quiet down. It's a question of which problem you would rather deal with in the first couple years. And a commitment to deal with those problems because if you don't, that's when they become harder to train away.

Down Payment

A $200 down payment, per bird, is required to save your spot(s) on the waitlist. If we’ve spoken, and I know you want on the waitlist, but you haven’t paid yet, you’re not yet on the waitlist. The down payment is the last step required to be on the waitlist.

If I do not end up producing the requested bird for you, you'll get that $200 refunded, otherwise it just comes out of the total price at the end. If I do produce the bird you requested and you decide you don't want the bird, then you are not entitled to get your down payment back. Whatever is remaining of the total price for the bird(s) is to be paid on the day you pick up the bird(s).

There is no way for you to pay on this website on purpose. I want to make sure we speak before you pay. When we speak, I'll tell you how to pay.

WE NEED TO TALK BEFORE I AGREE YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST.

Ready to be on the waitlist? Fill out the form here and I'll get back to you with information about how to send in the down payment.

Paperwork