There is literally nothing better to do on Catalina than this. One of the most unforgettable experiences my husband and I have ever shared together (and that's saying something)! We came away completely in awe. We already know this will be a must-do every single time we visit Catalina. If you're on the fence, just go. You won't regret it for a second. Getting up close and personal with a Harris Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Eagle Owl was nothing short of magical. Dave was incredible - genuinely passionate and incredibly knowledgeable, having grown up with it, making the whole experience feel both educational and deeply personal. We learned about the history and techniques of falconry, the vital role raptors play in our ecosystem, and the best part - we actually got to do it ourselves. Donning the glove, calling Willow (Harris Hawk), and being face to face with PK (Peregrine Falcon) and Ruby (Eagle Owl) - it still gives me chills thinking back to it. The setting in Descanso Canyon makes the whole thing even more breathtaking. It's hands-on, immersive, and inspiring to be this close to nature. read more

An Unforgettable Falconry Experience This was an absolutely amazing experience--educational, interactive, exciting, and truly unforgettable! Having the opportunity to see these magnificent birds of prey up close, watch them fly and demonstrate their natural abilities, and then personally interact with them made this so much more than a traditional wildlife presentation. Dave, the owner and falconer, was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He explained how the birds are raised and trained, how falconers develop relationships with them, and the remarkable techniques these raptors use when hunting. His passion for falconry and genuine affection and respect for his birds were evident throughout the entire experience. The stars, of course, were the birds themselves: Paxson, the magnificent Gyr Falcon; Willow, the impressive Harris Hawk; Ruby, the beautiful Eurasian Owl; and PK, the spectacular Peregrine Falcon. Each demonstrated different flying and hunting maneuvers, giving us a fascinating look at their individual abilities and personalities. This was truly a hands-on experience, not simply a falconry demonstration. We had the extraordinary opportunity to interact directly with these magnificent birds, including wearing the falconry glove and having a bird fly to and land on our outstretched arm. Being that close to such powerful, beautifully trained raptors--and experiencing their flight firsthand--was absolutely thrilling. Dave made the interaction feel both exciting and completely comfortable while teaching us about each bird's unique behavior and abilities. There is something remarkable about looking into the eyes of an owl from just a few feet away or holding out your gloved arm and watching a bird of prey fly directly toward you and land on it. Photographs simply can't capture what that moment feels like. We left with a much greater appreciation for these extraordinary birds, the art of falconry, and the relationship between a falconer and his birds. This was easily one of the highlights of our visit to Catalina Island. If you love wildlife, nature, or simply want an experience completely different from the usual sightseeing excursion, don't miss it. Educational, exciting, personal, and unforgettable--we would do it again in a heartbeat! read more

Seriously one of the coolest and most exciting experiences of my life. If I come to Catalina again, I would do exactly the same thing! Our party was all sitting there in awe, mindfully discussing how nothing else could have compared. The hosts were so friendly and knowledgeable, I learned so much about these beautiful birds. They did a beautiful job of making everyone's time special but they took extra care with the kids to make it outright magical We saw Gyr Falcon, Harris Hawk, Perregrine Falcon, and an Eurasian Eagle Owl. Each bird was beautiful and we got to witness their skills. We all got to have the Hawk land on our arm. Soooo amazing. The Owl was a delight and we took photos with her. 10/10 will recommend. Bring yourself (they partner you up if you are solo), great for couples, great for families. This absolutely made our trip! read more

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This is one of the most positive experiences I've ever done! It was a perfect mixture of fun, education, and conservation. I couldn't recommend an experience here more! read more

We've been to Catalina a few times and we're looking for something new to do so we booked tickets for Falconry on the lawns of the Descanso Beach Club and ended up having a blast! We learned a ton about man's oldest sport and got the chance to not only have a hawk fly and land on our arms but we also got to see a falcon up close (the fastest animal on the planet) and see and take pictures with Ruby the owl. Dave was our instructor and you could tell he really loves the birds and was very knowledgable and explained how birds came to the island and how the birds protect visitors from pesky seagulls! I can't speak highly enough for this experience and really made this visit unique. As one of only 30 licensed falconry places in the US, it was a treat to experience this. read more

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This is truly an amazing experience. Took my 7yo nephew and we LOVED it. He can't stop talking about it. The staff is so unbelievably knowledgeable and beyond awesome. If you're even a little interested in this, DO IT. Made lifelong memories there. read more

This was an excellent experience! You got to be up close and personal with the birds. There were three different birds they presented- falcon, hawk, and an owl. All of them were amazing! My 2 kids (8 and 10 years old) really enjoyed this experience. There was a part where they had the participations put on a glove, and the hawk would fly to your glove. The trainer was really knowledgeable and I learned a lot about these animals . If you love birds of prey, this is definitely an experience you shouldn't miss. This experience was actually the reason we visited Catalina Island (first time going) and it did not disappoint! My kids want to do this again the next time we visit the island. read more

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Loved visiting Catalina Falconry, seeing Falcons, Hawk and an Owl was amazing, very educational too!

Dave is truly knowledgeable and passionate about these birds. The experience was amazing, we all learned a lot and felt comfortable/confident around the birds with Dave's guidance. We got to meet two falcons, a hawk, and an owl. We had the incredible experience of holding the hawk and feeding it a treat and plenty of photo opportunities. If you have the time in your vacation, I would HIGHLY recommend this fascinating falcon experience. read more

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Highly recommend this for families with kids visiting Catalina. When Dave found out my 12 year old was budding ornithologist, he really tried to encourage her by quizzing her and letting her share what she knew. He's a great teacher and very knowledgeable about his craft. We all learned so much. He does a lot to personally engage people of all ages in the audience and actually let both my girls volunteer at various points. For my kid, this was a bird nerd dream come true and a really worthwhile experience. read more

Fantastic experience. You get to see some incredible birds up close: we saw two different type of falcons, a hawk and a huge owl. Getting to wear the glove and have a hawk land on your hand is amazing. The hosts were welcoming, extremely knowledgeable and clearly cared deeply for their animals. We'll definitely be doing this again when we come back. read more

Let me start from the beginning, I've been going to Catalina Islands for many many years and have enjoyed Avalon tremendously. In my time on the island, I've noticed a falconer, keeping the area free of seagulls and nuisance birds. I have spoke to the falconer many times his name is Dave, very nice dude and very willing for any conversation about his job. Well, while we are walking around in the afternoon Friday, we found him and talked to him briefly again and he explained to us that he had a class on Saturday at 9:45 and to go online and sign up, with myself and two of my friends, I did and I can't tell you what very cool and satisfying experience and educational to boot Dave and his co-worker Kristy were awesome! We got to see and hang out with 4 different birds of prey First was a GYR hawk, very cool, second was a Harris Hawk, with this Hawk, "willow" we were treated to a fly on and landing on each of own hands, with a glove....we were clearly informed on how to handle our portion of the experience...totally professional. The third bird was a perigon falcon and the last was an Eurasian Eagle owl....huge!!! Very impressive. Our host was Dave, very personal and very well versed in his business. Can't say enough nice things about Dave. The way he explained everything and his personal interactions with each of us class people was very helpful. Once again thanks again for the experience read more

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This is a must see experience! Jerry and Dave are fantastic teachers of the history of falconry. The best part is the up close inaction you get by going here. You actually have a raptor land on your gloved hand, surprisingly, the bird was much lighter than I expected. If you love nature and animals, this is the one stop to make on any visit to Catalina island. read more

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And incredible interactive experience with amazing birds. Husband and wife team working to educate about the birds and how they function in the world. This is a must when on Catalina Island read more

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What an amazing experience! Our falconer Dave shared his love for raptors with us and we enjoyed every moment. It was a mix of education and entertainment as we learned about the birds background and benefit to humans over thousands of years of history. I'm going to take my kids when next time we visit the island. read more

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What an incredible experience from start to finish. Dave and his team are so professional and full of knowledge. Their birds are all fascinating and our group walked away amazed at all we learned. Getting to get a taste of being a falconer for a day was awesome! Got some great photos and highly recommend this not to miss experience. read more

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My son chose this experience and while I was excited for it--I didn't know how much our whole group would love it! Everything about the experience was top-notch. We met at a beautiful grassy area that overlooked the water and the harbor. From the moment we arrived, Dave and Gina were welcoming and kind. We got to meet and interact with 5 different birds. They gave us an overview about the animal and the history of the animal in the context of human history (like the role of falconry in the Middle East). You also get to have the chance for the hawk to land on your arm and watch the birds feed. We got lucky and a bald eagle also flew over during our experience. We were part of a Disney Cruise group excursion--but the group was small and we really felt like we had an "exclusive" and "behind the scenes" experiences. Many thanks for Dave and Gina for a wonderful morning getting to see Ruby and the other birds! read more

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Dave was an amazing falconry, educated us about the species of birds they currently have. He respected his birds very well and handle them properly. Healthy beautiful birds. From the eagle Owl to the Gyrfalcon. Love them all definitely worth the experience and to do again as an activity on the island 10 stars read more

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An unforgettable and educational experience! Dave went out of his way to make sure everyone in our group had a meaningful interaction with the birds. My 10-year-old son had an absolute blast, he even made a point to find Dave again later in town! I highly recommend doing this at least once. Not only is it incredibly fun, but it also supports a great cause. A solid 10/10, would absolutely do it again! read more

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This was an amazing experience. Dave was so kind to my 10 year old daughter and really got her involved to interact with these amazing animals up close. Very grateful read more

What an exhilarating, beautiful experience it was taking part in the Catalina Falconry Experience recently with my best friend! Dave and Gina were both incredibly knowledgeable, humorous and full of compassion & respect for these incredible birds. We enjoyed meeting and interacting with Willow, Ruby, Paxson and Tess who were all amazing sports & stars of the show. We learned so much & are grateful for this epic experience. We would highly recommend!! Book this now!!! Thank you again, Dave & Gina!! Lory & Tova read more

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We spent a good two hours meeting and learning about these beautiful birds. It was an honor to get up close and personal with a Gyr Falcon, a Peregrine Falcon, a Harris Hawk and a Eurasian Eagle Owl, and to delve into Dave's knowledge about these and other birds of prey. It's clear that this is a passion as well as a career for Dave. He speaks about his charges with fondness and humor, and was willing to share information with anyone within earshot. Having participated in a previous falconry experience, we thought we knew what to expect, but were wowed by the variety of birds and the time we could spend close to them. Still feeling the awe and excitement hours later! Side note: the Harris Hawks have a side gig in the community, working as seagull mitigation. Look for them if you're in downtown Avalon! read more

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If you love birds, don't miss out on this chance of a lifetime. Stunning raptors and the owl Ruby is a beauty. So informative and fun. Dave was a wealth of information and also the falconer that keeps all of Catalina free of sea gull poop. His beautiful falcons keep the casino and town clean. We got some photos on our phones to frame because of this up close and personal experience. Very memorable. read more

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Dave and his birds are amazing. Very informative and professionally done. A great experience for the whole family.

Great experience. Unique and fun thing to do on Catalina island. Can't find similar anywhere else

This falconry experience is such a great way to experience these amazing birds up close and personal. And Dave shares just the right amount of interesting information. Enough to learn and get practical knowledge, yet not overwhelm you with too much information, since he clearly knows a lot and is happy to answer questions. It is one thing to be able to see the various birds, then to be able to feed a hawk just takes the whole experience over the top. Such a great experience! I really appreciate that this is a kid-friendly activity. Dave does a great job involving the kids as they are comfortable. read more

Dave and his staff are very kind and respectful of their birds. The are knowledgeable about the history of this sport, and their individual bird, which make this unique experience a one in a lifetime adventure. He knows which birds are Ok with being touched, and which aren't. Dave is very clear on his instructions, and if you follow them your experience will be incredible. I was so surprised how light Willow, our HArris hawk, was. She was also extremely gentle when she landed. This is a must see if you're visiting Catalina!!! read more

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Dave was an amazing tour guide and showed off some incredible birds to us! We learned so much about falcons, hawks and even a beautiful owl named Ruby What an awesome Father's Day Celebration and we will be back! read more

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My family visited Avalon and found Catalina Falconry to be an awesome experience. The location is beautiful and easy to access, plus the information and learning aspect is interesting, it's super interactive for everyone in the family, and the whole thing is very unique. You get to see and learn about falcons, hawks, and a big beautiful owl. There is also some good information about the island and the role eagles and predator birds play on the the island and in the city. We had a great day in Avalon and the Falconry experience really added to the memories. We're so glad we did it and highly recommend it. read more

Participated in the Catalina falconry experience and was excellent as usual! I love how this program gets you up close and personal with hawks, owls and falcons. You get to meet the birds, touch them and really learn about them and their history in falconry. Dave does a great job keeping the experience fun, educational and interactive. We love this experience and have participated three times. It never gets old and where else are you able to have a stunning hawk literally eat out of your glove?!?! Very cool experience, I highly recommend! read more

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Definitely the "most for your money" experience on the island, especially if you are interested in learning about raptors and ecology of Catalina. As exotic animal owners ourselves, you can tell that Dave (the falconer) knows and cares a lot about his animals and Catalina Island. We started our experience with checking in and filling out our waivers, the staff gave a good explanation about the history of Falconry and it's importance to Catalina Island itself. We then got into groups for our literal "hands on" experience with Duke the Harris Hawk. The next step was heading up a short staircase to Raptor Ridge where we met the rest of the educational raptors, Tess, PK, Rosie, and Paxton. The whole experience ended up lasting about 2 hours or so and was definitely a highlight of our trip. read more

Catalina Falconry Experience - Active Life Near Me - Avalon, California

10/10 would do again. Learning about different falcons and getting the chance to call one to you was an unbelievably wonderful experience. The guy running the activity was so friendly and knowledgeable about the history of falconry as well as the island uses of it. A fun activity for all ages! read more

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I had such a wonderful and informative time at the Catalina Falconry Experience! From the very beginning, our instructors Dave and Kirsty knew all of our names and would relate to us individually. It made me feel welcomed into the group and valued as a member of the experience. Dave took the time to answer all of my questions and was extremely knowledgeable about the Falcons. I loved meeting all of the different types of birds he introduced to us and being able to interact with them. He even led me through catching a falcon on my arm! Dave and the birds have a very good relationship and it was so great to see how much fun the birds had interacting with us and doing their tricks. Overall 10/10 experience and I would recommend it to any families or adults! read more

Knowing what a huge bird-nerd I am, my husband surprised me with this activity for our 25th anniversary during our week on Catalina Island. It was my first falconry experience, and it has always been a dream of mine to interact with and hold a bird of prey. To say that our expectations were exceeded would be an understatement! Dave is an expert on these incredible raptors and we were captivated from beginning to end. His knowledge is vast and he patiently answered all of our questions. During the class, we were introduced to several beautiful birds that are all under his care and got to witness several impressive flight demonstrations - including an interactive falconry experience with a Harris Hawk (my dream come true!). Since our class was on a weekday, our group size was small which enabled everyone to participate. Admittedly, I am sometimes leery of how the animals are treated with these kinds of tourist-focused activities, but after witnessing them firsthand and also talking with Dave at length about how they've been raised, it's obvious that they've received nothing but the absolute best of care. To me, that made all the difference in my enjoyment of this experience. This was definitely a highlight of our anniversary week and we would absolutely recommend it to anyone who has even a remote interest in falconry and/or birds of prey. Thanks again, Dave! read more

We've visited Catalina several times and have done most of the various activities offered. The falconry experience was one we were always interested in, but due to timing or it being sold out, we've never managed to do it until this last trip. What a great experience! Dave is most knowledgeable and entertaining. The presentation is fun, and you almost don't notice that you're learning as well. We interacted with 4 different and amazing birds, all while Dave is educating you and explaining what he does on the island. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is after doing most island activities, this is one that I would definitely do more than once. It's not often you get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures. Book it. You won't be disappointed. read more

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I highly recommend this special interaction with birds of prey on your next visit to Catalina island. My best friend and her son treated me and my daughter to this incredible experience. Dave & Gina were engaging, extremely knowledgeable, professional and so kind. My daughter wants to be a falconer one day and this experience solidified that goal. Thank you Dave & Gina for your compassion, kindness and showing your love for these incredible birds. It was a pleasure meeting you and your flock. We are definitely returning to visit you again. read more

Once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone who loves wildlife, Dave is knowledgeable and genuine in his love and care for these magnificent creatures! You will get up close and personal with falcons, a hawk, and an eagle owl while learning about their past, present and future along with the remarkable conservation efforts of falconers. Highly recommend! read more

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This is a must do activity on Santa Catalina Island. Not only do they take great care of their animals, they also invest into the island conservation. The falconry experience was an amazing life experience and exceeded my expectations. You will get to interact with the birds of prey as well as learn so much about them. Truly a joy! Dave and Jerry are wonderful! read more

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4.5 (16) Rate and Review on Google Reviews All owls6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest Diana Lemos 3 reviews 2 days ago NEW **WARNING** choose another company for your bird of prey experience! I should have gone with the more reliable company in San Diego. My spouse and I booked a trip to Catalina Island for the sole purpose of doing this falconry experience. ... More Catie Kovelman 6 reviews·4 photos a year ago One of my best friends and I recently did the Catalina Falconry Experience and were completely amazed. We booked the experience for her birthday, and it exceeded expectations. We saw a variety of birds, including falcons, hawks, and owls. ... More Kelsey Cohen 7 reviews·4 photos a year ago Loved this experience today! We met so many types of birds- 3 types of falcons, a desert hawk which we got to call and hold, and an owl. The instructor was friendly, super knowledgeable, and obviously cared for the birds. Remember sunscreen! There's very little shade available. DK 7 reviews·15 photos a year ago Faclcons & Owls & hawks oh my! We had such a wonderful experience for our anniversary! We will definitely return. I highly recommend it to everyone. +11 https://m.facebook.com ' catalinafal... Catalina Falconry Experience | Facebook Fun experience! It was very educational and the birds were beautiful and well behaved. Our tour guys were awesome and very friendly. They made us feel welcomed ... 5.0(31) · $$ https://www.catalinatours.com ' tour Catalina Falconry Experience This experience is available from late spring to mid fall. Meet Amazing Catalina Birds with a Falconry Experience. You'll be thrilled by these amazing predators ... https://www.businessyab.com ' catal... Catalina Falconry Experience, 1 St Catherine Way, Avalon, CA 90704 ... Aug 6, 2022 -- Great experience! I always wanted to get close to this magnificent birds. The handlers where very knowledgeable on what they do and answered all ... https://girlwithbluesails.com ' falcon... Falconry Experience at Catalina Island - Girl With Blue Sails Jul 14, 2022 -- The falconry experience at Catalina Island was one of the first things I booked for my recent trip in May. I love animals and take any ... https://www.mapquest.com ' catalin... Catalina Falconry Experience St Catherine Way Avalon, CA Sports ... We had an awesome experience today with Dave doing the Falconry Experience. He is extremely knowledgeable and his passion for Falconry really shines through ... 5.0(33) https://www.yellowpages.com ' mip Catalina Falconry Experience - Avalon - Yellow Pages Get reviews, hours, directions, coupons and more for Catalina Falconry Experience. Search for other Tourist Information & Attractions on The Real Yellow ... https://www.outdoorful.com ' activi... Catalina Falconry Experience - Outdoorful You'll learn about the ancient art of falconry before having the opportunity to work ... Catalina Falconry Experience ... Be the first to write a review! Related searches The Falcon experience Where can I hold a falcon Falconry wedding Falconry experience near me Catalina raptor read more

We had an awesome experience today with Dave doing the Falconry Experience. He is extremely knowledgeable and his passion for Falconry really shines through with this tour. The weather was great and the lawn at the beach club was the perfect backdrop for learning about falconry and seeing the birds in action. We were able to have one on one time with all of the falcons and Ruby the Owl stole the show with her appearance at the end of the tour. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone visiting Catalina and even locals who haven't had the chance to experience it yet! read more

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