What characteristic makes young raptors less desirable for falconry?

Young raptors having a high mortality rate before reaching breeding age makes them less desirable for falconry due to the inherent risks associated with their survival. This characteristic reflects the vulnerabilities that juvenile birds face in the wild, including factors like predation, disease, and competition for food. If a raptor is likely to perish before reaching maturity, it diminishes the potential for a falconer to train and utilize the bird for hunting effectively. Falconers seek birds that have a greater chance of surviving and thriving in captivity, ensuring a more reliable partnership in the practice of falconry.

Although difficulties in training, comfort in captivity, and hunting capabilities are important considerations, they do not directly relate to the survival rates and long-term viability of the young raptors in a falconry context, making the high mortality rate the key issue.