How do falconers get birds?
There are a number of sources and methods of obtaining falconry birds. An import permit may be issued so that a bird, which is legally obtained in another jurisdiction, can be brought into Alberta. A collection permit may be issued for species that are not rare or endangered. Any threatened or endangered species (e.g. Peregrine Falcon) used in falconry must have been bred and hatched domestically. Only captive bred birds and those birds that have been legally imported into Alberta may be bought, sold or bartered. Traffic and export in birds collected from the wild in Alberta is not permitted, although such a bird may be transferred from one Alberta falconer to another. The holder of a recreational falconry permit may apply to collect no more than two birds each year, while the holder of a commercial falconry permit may apply to collect any number of birds. For each bird collected, a fee is assessed when ownership of the bird is transferred from the Crown to the falconer.
