Read more: Local, Outdoors, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Richard Moore, Nature Report, Falconry, Falconer, Falcon, Leila, Paul Juergens
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS -- The art of falconry dates back more than 4,000 years, but as Paul Juergens readies his peregrine for flight, he adds a touch of modernity in the from of a satellite tracking device.
"You have to get proficient at using one hand in dealing with these birds," said Juergens.
Your mouth comes in handy too for removing the falcon's hood and in a flash of wings Leila is airborne.
Paul has been flying her for nearly two years, but Leila's first free flight did not go quite as planned.
"Apparently, I didn't have her quite tuned in to me, and I found her 12 miles from where I released her."
It takes a minimum of a two year apprenticeship to become a falconer and untold hours of practice to work up to flying the world's fastest creature.
Peregrine falcons have been recently clocked diving at speeds in excess of 240 miles per hour.
"You know they are just so unique and so specialized in what they do and as athletes they are incredible, and I guess the whole fastest animal on the planet is intriguing."
Leila is captive bred and trained to associate Paul with food.
She has learned to take a lure from him in flight, and then she is rewarded with a meal.
Paul hunts ducks with her in season, but acquiring a falcon becomes a 365 day a year responsibility.
"It is very time consuming. The training that goes into these birds, you can't put a price on it."
