What is the most common cause of sudden death in falconry hawks?

Electrocution is indeed recognized as a significant risk for falconry hawks and is often cited as a common cause of sudden death. In many areas, power lines and electrical infrastructure pose hazards to flying birds. When a hawk perches on or flies near electrical wires, it can complete a circuit and suffer fatal electrocution. This danger is exacerbated by the natural behavior of hawks, which often hunt or perch near such infrastructures to gain a vantage point for spotting prey.

Other potential threats, while they can cause fatalities, are less common in comparison. For instance, being shot by a hunter, although serious, happens less frequently due to regulations and awareness in hunting areas. Lethal attacks by larger raptors can occur but are generally not as prevalent, as many hawks are adept at avoiding confrontation with larger birds. Impacting a wire can happen, particularly during hunting or when flying in pursuit of prey, but it is not as widespread a cause of sudden death as electrocution, which is a more systemic and unavoidable risk in certain environments.

Understanding these risks is crucial for falconers to take appropriate measures to protect their birds.