A P C C A P

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Peruvian Falconry

Peru has more than one thousand eight hundred (1800) bird species with sixty eight (68) species of Birds of Prey (both nocturnal and diurnal.

According to the chronicler Sarmiento de Gamboa, the first Inca emperor Manco Capac, carried with him one falcon called Inti (Sun in quechua), venerated by all. The warriors of the Inca army were called Huaman (falcon in the Andean Quechua language). The falcon was a symbol of privilege.

In the book written in 1615 by the Indian and chronicler Huaman Poma,” he mentions the practice of falconry by the Spaniard nobility and the creoles during the Viceroyalty period in Peru. Huaman Poma wrote that the Indians were hunters and owned falcons and hawks. The Indians call them Huaman. They also breed good hunting dogs and hunted partridge, deer, Vicuna, Guanaco and Mountain Goat.

In the book The Royal Comments of the Incas written in the year 1616 by the chronicler Inca Garcilazo de la Vega, he stated that the Huaman (falcon) was called Alethe in Spain pointing out that they are small and so pretty that many had been brought back to Europe. The next record about the practice of Falconry in Peru is referred to Melchor Navarra & Rocafull, Viceroy of Peru between the years 1681-1689. It is said the Viceroy Navarra hunted for doves, partridge (Tinamou) and deer with dogs and falcons.

No other evidence is found about the practice of falconry in Peru till the mid seventies, when very few enthusiasts “rediscovered” Peruvian Birds of Prey.

We estimate that in a period of 35 years the number of raptor lovers, between beginners and falconers, has grown up to one hundred (100). Among the raptors commonly flown in Peru we find the Peregrine Falcon, Harris Hawk and the Aplomado Falcon. Peruvian falconers have also successfully flown and hunted with some exciting neo tropical raptor species such as the Bicoloured Hawk, Tiny Hawk, Bat Falcon and Orange-breasted Falcon. Some of those species had never been flown before, becoming the first records about their use in falconry.

One of these falconers currently owns the largest raptor breeding Facility found in Latin America, EL HUAYCO, owned by Mr. Jose Antonio Otero. The breeding project was started in the year 1994 and currently hosts 27 raptor species.

In the year 2005, a group of Peruvian falconers founded APCCAP (Peruvian Association for Falconry and the Conservation of Birds of Prey) been the first organization of its kind in our country. To this date, its main goals have been:

APCCAP has actively participated with the Peruvian government in the developing of the new revised Wildlife and Forestry Legislation (D.S. 002 - 2009 AG), where falconry has been included ( articles 269 to 273 ) as a legal and ruled activity, indicating that it has to be practiced in accordance to the law. That means having the permits and a falconer’s license, both given by the Peruvian government. APCCAP is now, by appointment of our authorities, developing the rules for the expedition of the license.
APCCAP became member of the International Falconry Association.
APCCAP has signed an agreement with EL HUAYCO breeding center, to provide its associates with captive breed birds of prey at special prices and financing conditions.
APCCAP has developed a Rehabilitation and Reintroduction center in cooperation with EL HUAYCO breeding center, to foster and reintroduce, if possible, birds of prey taken off the black market by Peruvian authorities.
APCCAP plans to be the leading falconry organization in our country, attracting most of our falconers as associates.
APCCAP is at the moment participating in an initiative to create the first South American Falconry Association.
APCCAP will participate with a stand in the current Third International Falconry Festival at Abu Dhabi. We invite you to visit our stand and learn more about what we do and the potential our country has for our beloved art.