falconer

Everyday

A person who keeps, trains and flies falcons, hawks or other birds of prey, especially to hunt or for displays. tree →

In the lessons

In history, kings and nobles kept falconers to hunt with trained birds; falconry was a sign of high status. Today, falconers give displays at shows and use birds to scare pigeons from airports and buildings. In stories it suggests patience and skill. Phrases: «a falconer's glove», «a falconry display».

Examples

• The falconer wore a thick leather glove. tree →
• At the show, a falconer flew an owl over our heads. tree →
• The falconer called the hawk back with a whistle. tree →
• Medieval kings kept falconers at their castles. tree →
• Some airports hire a falconer to scare birds away. tree →
• The falconer fed the falcon a piece of meat as a reward. tree →
• The huntsmen blew their horns, the falconers took their hawks on their wrists, and off they all set out across country till they came to a green hedge. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced «FAL-kon-er» or «FAWL-kon-er». The sport is called falconry. A falconer uses many birds, not just falcons: hawks, eagles and owls too.