Colorado Springs: Falconry Class & Hands-On Bird Demo

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (339 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/7

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Falconry in Colorado Springs with real birds flying free and glove-on moments

You’ll get close enough to feel a real falcon’s weight on your arm during this hands-on class near Colorado Springs. Learn from a licensed falconer in a small group, watch hawks fly free over open fields, and hear stories about ancient traditions. It’s not just watching — you’ll actually put on the glove yourself.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Falconry class and flying demonstration

Learn about hawks, falcons, and owls
Watch hawks flown in countryside
Hold trained Saker Falcon with glove

The Experience

I’ll be honest, I was late because I couldn’t find the right turnoff — my phone kept rerouting me past some field that looked like every other field outside Colorado Springs. By the time I got there, our guide (his name’s Mike, or maybe Mark? I’m terrible with names) just grinned and said, “You made it. The birds don’t mind waiting.” That set the tone: low-key, no pressure, just this quiet excitement in the air. You could hear hawks somewhere out behind the barn, sharp calls cutting through that dry morning smell.

We started off inside, not in some fancy classroom but more like a shed with old posters and leather gloves hanging everywhere. Mike/Mark (I should’ve asked again) had us sit on benches while he introduced us to the different birds — owls with those weirdly intense eyes, a couple of hawks who seemed bored until they weren’t, and a falcon that looked like it was judging all of us. He told stories about how falconry’s older than most religions, which honestly made me see these birds differently. There was this moment when he let one of the hawks hop onto his arm — you could actually feel everyone hold their breath for a second.

Then we headed outside. It was colder than I expected; my hands went numb holding the glove they gave me. The best part? Watching one of the hawks fly out over the grass and then swoop back when called — not because it had to, but because it wanted to (that’s what Mike/Mark kept saying). When it was my turn to put on the glove and hold the Saker Falcon, I tried not to flinch but wow — those talons are no joke. The bird felt heavier than I thought, warm and alive on my arm. Someone tried to take a photo but honestly I just wanted to stand there for another minute.

I never thought I’d care much about falconry classes near Colorado Springs — it sounded kind of random when I booked it — but now whenever I hear birds overhead at home, I think about that morning and wonder what they’re seeing from up there.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water for everyone, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle out to the countryside near Colorado Springs where you’ll meet your licensed falconer guide. Gratuities are already covered so you don’t have to worry about tipping after your hands-on lesson with live birds.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Broadmoor Outfitters and Soaring Adventure