What does it mean for a falcon to "bind" after striking quarry?

When a falcon "binds" after striking quarry, it refers to the action of grasping the quarry with its feet. This behavior is crucial in falconry as it indicates that the falcon successfully caught its prey. The binding process is vital for the falcon to secure and hold onto the prey, ensuring that it does not escape. This behavior showcases the falcon's hunting skills and its ability to control its catch once it strikes.

The other choices describe different actions that a falcon might take, but they do not accurately reflect what it means to "bind." For instance, releasing the quarry immediately would not constitute binding, as binding involves maintaining a grip on the prey. Hovering in the air and looking for more prey implies that the falcon is still in search mode rather than engaging with an already caught quarry. Finally, chasing another animal suggests a pursuit rather than a successful capture, which again does not align with the concept of binding.