What is a brail primarily used for in falconry?

A brail is primarily used to restrain a wild hawk, which allows the falconer to safely manage and handle the bird. In the context of falconry, the brail helps in securing the bird's wings, preventing it from taking flight or flapping while being held or transported. This tool is essential when initially capturing a wild hawk or when handling it for various procedures, such as banding or veterinary checks. By securely holding the wings, the brail ensures both the safety of the falconer and the bird during this critical phase of handling.

Other functions related to training and measuring wingspan are typically managed through different tools and techniques specific to those tasks, rather than using a brail.