What type of animal is typically used as a tiring for raptors?

The appropriate choice for a tiring animal used in falconry practices is a pigeon. Pigeons are often utilized because they are lightweight, easy to manage, and possess strong flight abilities, which makes them suitable for training raptors. They provide an unpredictable movement pattern that can effectively challenge a raptor's hunting instincts and improve its flying and hunting skills.

In contrast, while adult mice, rabbits, and chickens can also serve as prey in certain contexts, they do not have the same level of utility as a tiring animal. Mice are much smaller and may not provide a significant enough challenge for training purposes, while rabbits are larger and can be more cumbersome to handle. Chickens, although they can be used for training, generally do not match the agility and flight capability of pigeons, making pigeons the more favored choice in this context.