In falconry, a passage raptor typically refers to?

In falconry terminology, a passage raptor specifically refers to a bird of prey that is in its first year of life and has not yet completed its first migration. This classification indicates that the bird is usually one that has recently fledged and is still undergoing its development both physically and in terms of its flying skills. By being under one year old, these raptors are considered "passage" because they are typically caught during the period when they are leaving their nest for the first time and are often inexperienced in different aspects of survival, including hunting.

The other definitions do not apply correctly to the term "passage raptor." For instance, a raptor that can no longer fly would refer to a bird that has sustained an injury or condition affecting its flight capabilities, which does not align with the definition of a passage bird that is learning to fly. A fully trained raptor describes a bird that has undergone extensive training and conditioning for falconry, which is more aligned with mature or fully trained birds rather than those still in their first year. Lastly, a raptor that has never left the nest would typically be termed a nestling or an eyass, which is distinct from the concept of a passage raptor—indicating that a