In addition to the “hack” that took place on July 5 that saw two Gyr/Saker hybrid falcons join the GTAA, two more falcons of the same breed were welcomed into its wildlife management program at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Thursday, July 12.

Falcons are employed at Toronto Pearson to act as a deterrent to other birds that either live at or transit through airport property. In an active airfield, birds can pose a significant threat to arriving and departing aircraft. “Bird strikes are a very serious issue,” says Rob Shevalier, Manager of the GTAA’s contracted wildlife control company Falcon Environmental Services (FES).

“Hacking,” explains Shevalier, “is an efficient and environmentally responsible technique where birds of prey are introduced into the wild before they are able to fly.”

Not only does Toronto Pearson have one of the largest and most diverse wildlife control programs in North America, it also holds the distinction of being the only airport in North America that hacks bird of prey.

World renowned breeder Whitefeather Falconry delivered the 40 day old falcons at their ideal time to be hacked. Presently, the birds are in a hack box on the rooftop of the GTAA’s Administration Building, overlooking the south end of Toronto Pearson.

The hack box itself contains a ledge and has bars on the front to protect the youngsters from predators. A hatch on the box allows attendants to covertly drop in food and water to the falcons.

The birds are held in the hack box for approximately one week until they reach their normal fledging age of six weeks. The box has a swing door which is then opened allowing the birds to fly for the first time. It takes about six weeks for young falcons to become proficient at flying and catching prey.

The falcons are free to come and go as they please. Over a period of several weeks, the young birds develop muscle tone and experience flight and refine their hunting ability. In about a month’s time, they will be re-trapped and FES then takes on the task of training them specifically for airport duties that work toward fulfilling the GTAA’s wildlife management targets under its ISO 14001 certification.