How often should an apprentice falconer weigh a hunting kestrel?

The correct choice is to weigh a hunting kestrel twice each day. This frequency is important for maintaining the health and performance of the bird. Regular weighing allows the falconer to monitor the kestrel's weight closely, which is crucial since a bird's weight can fluctuate significantly due to various factors, including daily activity levels, health, and diet.

Weighing the kestrel in the morning and then again in the evening provides a detailed understanding of its weight changes throughout the day. This practice helps falconers determine the optimal weight at which the bird performs best during hunting. Moreover, consistent weighing can indicate if the bird is losing weight excessively, which could signal health problems or inadequate nutrition.

Weighing once a day may not provide enough data to assess these fluctuations accurately, whereas weighing three times a day might be unnecessarily frequent for most situations. Weighing whenever the hawk fails to perform does not provide a preventive approach, as it can lead to stress or delay in addressing the bird's needs. Hence, the twice-daily schedule strikes a reliable balance between monitoring and intervention, ensuring a well-managed and healthy hunting kestrel.