At a recent NAFA Field Meet, Marshall Radio sponsored nightly training sessions on the installation of Trackpacks. Mark Williams (Canada), and Michael Garcia (USA), both have extensive experience installing backpacks on falcons and hawks, and without using sedatives as falconers initially used. Many people are reluctant to use any sedatives with their birds so these nightly demonstrations attracted large groups.

(click on the Enlarge Icon in lower right corner of the image to expand)

Marking the Ribbon

Getting ready for the next bird, he marks the ribbon on one side.

Both sides prepared to begin

Here we see Mike has pre-marked his ribbon with white spots to be sure there will be no twists later in the process. He’s also stitched the ribbon at the key spot above the keel and below the crop area so that he’s ready now to begin.

Center stitch held up

Here you can see that the knot has been tied to the outside. Mike has kept measurements of this distance from the mounting plate to the first stitch and has found there’s not much variation once you know the species, gender and weight.

Fitting over the birds head

Dennis Grisco looks on as his Red-nape Shaheen reacts to the ribbon now being placed over the hood. This bird was the first in line, as Dennis said she was so touchy, he couldn't use a tail mount on her. Mike smiled and accepted the challenge.

Over the head

Still standing fine on the block, the braces are pulled up through the harness loop, and the mounting plate is brought around to the back, between the shoulders where it is going to stay

Preening in with chopstick

While holding the mounting plate with the fingers of his left hand, he begins to preen in the ribbon using a “Chop stick” with his right hand. If at any point the bird get anxious, he stops and waits a few moments for her to calm down.

Preening in the front feathers

The same thing is now done in the front. He carefully lifts the feathers over the crop area up and out over the Teflon ribbon.

Just before using the earpieces

He stops to explain how the fit should end up and lets the bird settle for a few moments.

Taping ribbon to earpiece

Here we see the second simple but effective tool: the end piece of an old pair of reading glasses used to tape the Teflon to. This is then used like a large needle to carefully yet easily thread the ribbon back around the torso and under the wing with minimal disturbance to the standing bird.

Alligator clip holds one side

Once the ribbon is pulled around the body, it’s removed from the plastic “eye-glasses piece” and threaded through the slot of the Mounting Plate. Pulled up snug but not tight, he secures it with a simple alligator clip to hold it in place while he does the other side.

Threading the other end through the plate

The Chopstick also makes a handy tool to lift the Mounting Plate up and get a better target for threading through the second side of the Teflon ribbon which has now been brought around the other side.

Keeping both ends even

Now he can pull both sides together and check that they are even, which indicates that the harness is centered. All this is still being done with a free standing hooded bird and not one bate.

Front view, prior to preening

The Alligator clip holds both ribbons now in place while he checks the overall fit and lets the birds stand still again, un-bothered for a moment.

Leaving the bird still

This entire first segment of the installation, that of fitting the harness over the head, under the wings and around the body all snugged up took less than 5 minutes while the group stands (and sits) in disbelief that it all happened so quickly and without the use of drugs.

Explaining where it lies

Here Mike explains how he will begin to preen in the ribbon using the Chopstick. The ribbon should spread apart as the crop fills.

Threading through the brass ring

Next, he slides the tiny brass crimping ring onto one of the ribbons. These little brass rings are made here in the Marshall Radio machine shop where we internally thread them and form them into an elliptical shape just the right size to slip on to the ribbon with slight friction.

Threading the other side through

Next, he brings the other ribbon back through the ring in the opposite direction.

Pulling the ribbon snug

Both sides are pulled together until they arrive at the point the Alligator clip is positioned.

Keeping them even before crimping

The clip is now removed and the ends are checked again to be sure they are still exactly even. There is just enough friction with the brass crimping ring to hold the ribbons snug.

Crimping the ring

With the measurements checked for tightness around the bird’s body, checking to see that a little finger can still get underneath the Mounting Plate, the decision is made to crimp the ring, using a common pair of needle-nosed pliers.

Finished crimping

Here’s what it looks like when finished, and before cutting the excess ribbon.

Cards to protect the feathers

Here we see the ribbons cut, the brass ring crimped, and Mike has now placed a pair of pre-cut cards underneath the mounting plate to protect the feathers as we move to epoxy step.

Way to cut the cards

Each card had two small slots cut into it so they can slide together toward each other with the ribbon going into the slots.

Mixing the epoxy

A fast acting epoxy is used, 5-minute or less. Be sure to mix it completely, thoroughly.

Applying the epoxy

A bamboo swizzle stick is used, a toothpick will do, to apply the epoxy taking care to get it underneath the ribbon as well as covering the cut ends completely.

Applying the epoxy

This is the step that seals the ribbon and crimping ring from getting torn apart by the bird later. The epoxy should mound up and completely cover the ribbon and ring area so that there’s nothing to get a hold of and pull on.

Letting it dry

At this point, we wait to let it cure.

Baby powder blown away

As a precaution, Mike puts Baby Powder on the epoxy and blows away the excess.

Getting measurements from removed harness

Here he demonstrates the first key measurement on a harness that’s been removed from another bird last winter, going into the moult. The distance from the top of the plate to the stitch.

Second measurement

Here we see the second key measurement, one that’s only determined by feeling the snugness of the fit around the body. This harness was cut right at the mounting plate so you can see the dimensions of the two measurements and how they compare.

Dennis waits with finished bird

Dennis, now a believer, sits with his bird and waits for the epoxy to fully cure while the next bird in line gets underway back at the table. Here we also see that the ribbon has largely been preened in already.

Taping ribbon to the earpiece

Taping the ribbon to the eyeglass piece is a very simple yet important reason why this could be done to a bird without the use of drugs. Threading the ribbon around the body and up under the wings is always very difficult to do with your hands only.

Mark Williams begins with tiercel

In the Conference Room next door, Mark Williams begins by getting the first measurement on a goshawk, one with a crop. . .

Mark Williams explains

Part of determining the measurement is to begin with the Mounting Plate in the right position between the shoulders, not too low, not too high.

Next group watches

Back in the first room, Mike prepares to thread the ribbon through between the wing and body of the next bird.

Redtail reacts, not hood trained

Here we see a RedTail brought in that was only hooded for the first time moments before. This proved a bit more challenging.

Adjusting the fit on the Redtail

Eventually, it still got done.

Off comes the hood

Off comes the hood, but on is the harness.

Harness on Redtail before preening

Here’s what it looks like before any preening in by either man or bird has begun.

Crimping on the Harris

Next a Harris’s Hawk get his ring crimped.

Un-hooded Harris

This bird was so tame, it stood for the process without a hood.

Harris with card ready for epoxy

And again, a card to protect the plumage during the epoxy step.

Rick threads his own bird

After watching the first few, the falconers were getting more confident to do the steps themselves. Here we see Rick Sharpe pulling the ribbon up from under the wing.

Group watches Rick

The new student makes final adjustments while the teacher has a beer.

Manfred & Elodie watch closely

What was unique about this event was the number of International guests present and keenly interested in the “Drug-Free” technique.

Crowd watches Rick

The last steps before crimping it down permanently.

Final adjustments to Rick's bird

Mike helps insert the card to protect the plumage.

Closeup of epoxy step

Here’s a closeup of Rick’s final epoxy mound, covering the brass ring and cut ribbon.

Letting the epoxy dry

The business cards will do, when cut with slots. . .

A Ferug gets his turn

People ask if the harness will work with hawks, so Mike gets the measurements for this big Ferrug, next in line.

Discussion while waiting

It’s a good idea to put a transmitter in the mount right away, and watch how the bird is going to respond. Rick and Manfred talk it over while waiting for the epoxy to fully cure.

Measuring for the Ferug

Getting the stitch in the right spot for the big Ferug.

Manfred & Elodie

Inspecting the fit, now that it’s disappeared . . .

Tightening up the ribbon on the Ferug

Snugging up the fit again on this big bird. . . .

Rick's bird with transmitter

All we see now is a transmitter, up and out of the way, and in the best broadcast position.

Rick's bird bites the transmitter

Pulling at the new sensation. . .

Stretching out with transmitter

Rick watches his bird closely for any signs of a misfit. . .