Falconry experience in Tuscany: Harris's buzzard on the glove

Call a bird of prey down from the sky and feel it land on your arm

A hands-on falconry activity in Tuscany where you work with a Harris's buzzard and a steppe eagle under the guidance of a live falconer. You'll learn the foundational techniques of training birds of prey (an art now recognized as UNESCO heritage), and experience the birds in flight across open countryside before one lands directly on your gloved hand.

The experience

Brave, a Harris's buzzard, is the center of this 90-minute session. You'll start by learning how falconers work with birds of prey, then move into the open where you can watch both Brave and a steppe eagle fly in complete freedom across the landscape. The falconer teaches you the basic handling techniques and positions you so the bird can land on the glove you're wearing: the moment when the weight of the bird and the control of the art become real.

The activity unfolds in a setting surrounded by nature, which is where these birds belong and where you get to see them work. You'll discover how falconry functions as a living practice, not a museum piece, and why UNESCO recognizes it as cultural heritage worth preserving. A photo and video camera are provided so you can document the flight and the landing without fumbling for your phone.

What’s included

• A live falconer guide in English or Italian.
• a falconer's glove.
• photo and video camera access so you can capture the flight and landing without managing your own device.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Davide the birds man

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Italian, so you'll follow the instruction comfortably in one of those languages. This suits anyone with moderate fitness who can stand outdoors for 90 minutes and wants to work directly with the bird rather than watch from a distance.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do this falconry experience if I've never handled birds before?

Yes, the falconer teaches you the basic techniques from the start, and Brave is trained to work with people new to falconry. No prior experience is required. Moderate physical fitness and comfort standing outdoors for 90 minutes are what matters.

What exactly happens when the bird lands on my glove?

The falconer positions you in the open and calls Brave down from flight. The bird lands on the glove you're wearing, and you feel its grip and weight as it settles. The falconer guides you through the moment and shows you how to read the bird's behavior.

Is this activity safe for children?

Children must be at least 8 years old to participate. They work directly with the bird under the falconer's instruction, so they need to be able to follow directions and stand still during the landing sequence.

What's included in the experience?

The falconer's glove and a photo and video camera are provided. The guide speaks English or Italian and leads the entire session, so you don't need to arrange anything beyond showing up.

Why is falconry a UNESCO heritage site?

Falconry is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage because it represents a living tradition of knowledge and skill passed down through generations. The activity you're doing is part of that same practice that has existed for centuries.