What does 'imping' involve in the context of falconry?

Imping is a specific technique used in falconry that involves repairing or replacing damaged feathers on a raptor with feathers taken from other birds. This is important because a bird's feathers are crucial for flight performance and overall health. When a falcon or hawk has broken or lost feathers, its ability to hunt effectively may be compromised.

By using the imping technique, a falconer can help restore the bird's feather condition, ensuring it retains its flight capabilities and can continue to be effective in hunting situations. The process usually involves crafting a new feather shaft that fits securely into the bird’s existing feather structure, ensuring a functional restoration that supports the bird's needs.

The other choices relate to various aspects of falconry but do not define the technical practice of imping. Training a new raptor for hunting, feeding a raptor after a hunt, and capturing a wild raptor for training are all integral parts of falconry, but they do not pertain to the specific act of feather repair that imping denotes.