Birds of Prey (golden eagle, falcons, hawks) are used for hunting fur-bearing animals and birds. Divided by hunters into noble and ignoble. Between the noble ones there are: high-flying birds and low-flying birds. High-flying birds include falcons and gyrfalcons, which are distinguished by the property of «hitting from above», that is, falling on prey, grabbing it at the moment of impact or only hitting it with sharp and hard semi-compressed claws. Low-flying birds include hawks that catch prey «in stealth», catching up with it and grabbing it with their claws (from behind, above, below or from the side); as a result, hawks can catch even on the ground and in the bushes (for example, hares), while falcons and gyrfalcons require full space and open areas, refusing even to catch in the bushes. Eagles, kites, buzzards and other birds of prey are considered ignoble.

Hunting with birds of preyhas been known since ancient times, India is considered its cradle. With the spread of firearms, hunting with birds of prey fell into decline. In our time, it is exotic, it is curious, but not popular, moreover, it is expensive and troublesome. Today only enthusiasts in Kazakhstan, Germany, Japan, Italy, Spain, Pakistan, England, Hungary and some other countries hunt with hunting birds. Nevertheless, those who support the long-standing traditions of falconry know firsthand how unusual this hunt is, one might say magical or sacred, when the bird of prey, as if by a wave from above, acts in the interests of the hunter, as if having barely broken hunter's gloves, it catches up with her prey like an arrow.

Hunting with well-trained birds of prey is not only exciting and interesting, but also rewarding. An experienced hunter with a golden eagle hunts 50-60 foxes per season, with a goshawk in a day - dozens of pheasants, and with a sparrowhawk - fifty or more quails. As with the use of hunting dogs, on the territory of Belarus foreign hunters can use hunting birds if they have the necessary documents - registration documents issued in the state of their habitual residence, veterinary certificate issued by the state veterinary service.

Hunting birds allowed for use in hunting grounds on the territory of the Republic of Belarus

Species of Birds of Prey
Russian name	Latin name
Golden eagle	Aquila chrysaetos
Goshawk	Accipiter gentiles
Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus
Peregrin	Falco peregrinus
Saker Falcon	Falco cherrug
Gyrfalcon	Falco rusticolus