The language of falconry from A to Z – a little dictionary
What does it mean when a falcon bates or mantles over its food – and what is a terts? Here is our little dictionary of 123 words from falconry, the world of birds and biology – with the history of the words and their relatives around the world.
Falconers have a language all of their own. Many of the words are several hundred years old, and they have travelled with the birds and the falconers across countries and languages. When we stand out at the falconry displays and talk about the birds, the words slip in by themselves. To us they are everyday words – to many of our guests they are a small mystery.
That is why we have put together a dictionary. It has 123 entries: falconry terms, ornithological terms and biological concepts. The headwords are the Danish terms we use here at Eagle World, and for each one we explain briefly what it means, and often where the word comes from and what it is called in other languages. You can search, browse from A to Å or pick one of the three subjects.
The dictionary is made with joy and with respect for a craft that is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Enjoy – and do take a few new words with you the next time you watch a falconry display.
Four young gyrfalcons. Photo: Frank Wenzel
You can use the dictionary right here on the page.
Can’t see the dictionary? Open the dictionary in a new window.
Want to know more?
- Being a falconer – a craft with wings all over the world
- The falcon hood – a craft made for one particular bird
- UNESCO and falconry
- School materials
- The falconer quiz – test what you have learned
- Falconry displays – hear the words in use
Top photo: Falcon in flight. Photo: Frank Wenzel