In falconry, what does the term "passage" most commonly refer to?

In falconry, the term "passage" most commonly refers to a young bird that has recently left the nest and is capable of fending for itself in the wild. This phase is significant in the life cycle of a bird, as it indicates that the bird has matured enough to survive independently, yet it is still young enough to be trained and influence by a falconer.

Understanding the importance of a passage bird is crucial for falconers, as these birds often possess the wild instincts that make them valuable companions in the sport. They are generally more challenging to train than older birds, but acquiring a passage bird allows falconers to engage in a deeper training process that can yield a rewarding partnership in the hunting field.

Other options present different scenarios that do not align with the specific definition of "passage." For example, a bird that has just been caught would not have acquired the independence implied by the term, and a bird that has completed its flight training pertains to an entirely different stage in the falconry process. A bird that migrates annually relates to seasonal movements and does not directly connect to the stage of a bird's life of having left the nest and gained self-sufficiency, which is the essence of what