A hawk is ready for free flight when its response is reliable.

• A. When it is hungry
• B. When it is fully grown
• C. When its response is reliable
• D. When it is hooded

Answer: (C)

Readiness for free flight hinges on the bird consistently obeying the falconer’s cues. When a hawk reliably responds to commands, follows the lure, and returns to the glove, it demonstrates the control and predictability needed for safe, controlled free flight. Hunger or full stomach might affect the bird’s drive, but they don’t guarantee dependable behavior. Being fully grown isn’t by itself a sign of training completion, and hooding is just a training step to keep the bird calm and controlled, not a measure of readiness for flying free.