Ep. #9: Falconry; Where Hunting Meets Ornithology w/ Meg Heft

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Will and Caleb sit down with the remarkable Meg Heft—falconer, ornithologist, birder, poultry judge, and PhD candidate—who truly does it all when it comes to birds.Meg walks us through the wild world of falconry, from how she traps and trains hawks to hunt small game (which she and the bird both eat!), to the deep bond that forms between raptor and human. We dive into her academic work as a PhD candidate at Trent University, exploring how her research is helping us better understand bird behavior and ecology. And just when you thought birds couldn’t get any more fascinating, she gives us an inside look at the unexpected and surprisingly intense world of poultry judging.Whether you're a backyard birder, a science buff, or just here for the hawks—this episode has wings.