What is a good way to judge a raptor's condition and health?

Keeping daily weight records is an effective method for assessing a raptor's condition and health. Weight is a critical indicator of a bird's overall well-being, as fluctuations can signal changes in health status. Regularly monitoring a raptor's weight allows falconers to track any significant losses or gains that may indicate stress, illness, or inadequate nutrition.

In the context of falconry, where maintaining the bird's fitness is crucial for hunting performance, weight monitoring helps to ensure it is not only healthy but also at an optimal weight for hunting. For example, if a bird loses weight rapidly, this could be an indication of illness or stress, prompting immediate attention. Conversely, significant weight gain could lead to obesity, impacting the bird's hunting ability and overall health.

Other options, while relevant aspects of bird care, do not provide as direct a measure of a raptor's health as daily weight records do. Temperature monitoring can be critical, but it is often less frequently conducted unless specific health concerns arise. Observing feather growth can indicate health conditions or dietary deficiencies but is not as immediate or quantifiable as weight. Checking nest conditions is more applicable to breeding and can inform about the environment but does not directly reflect an individual raptor's health