The falconer's knot is a knot

Knot

A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...

 used in falconry

Falconry

Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...

 to tether a bird of prey

Bird of prey

Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....

 to a perch. Some sources show this knot to be identical to the halter hitch

Halter hitch

The halter hitch is a type of knot used to connect a rope to an object. As the name implies it is useful in tying the lead rope, which is attached to the halter, to a post or hitching rail. The benefit of the halter hitch is that it can be released by pulling on one end of the rope. Even if...

, but with a specific method of single-handed tying needed when the other hand is occupied holding the bird.

Tying

How to tie the falconer's knot:

1. Pass the rope anti-clockwise around the perch or glove, with the tail end to the left.
2. Place the right hand, palm up, underneath the both pieces of rope and grip the tail piece(left) between the first finger and middle finger, as if one was cutting the rope with scissors. The other fingers are below not in use at the moment.
3. Place the thumb through the two pieces, over the "scissors" and under the second bring it to the right, as if one was hitchhiking.
4. Keeping the thumb in the same position rotate the wrist to the right so that the back of the hand is facing up.
5. The thumb will have made a loop. With the pinched first and middle finger put the "scissored" rope through the "hitchhikers's" loop.
6. Pass the free end through the new loop to secure.

To untie simply pull out the free end and tug hard and it should untie. When securing birds of prey often two knots will be used as birds can learn to untie them. Also a slip knot may be tied using steps 1-5.

External links

• Instructional video on tying the Falconer's knot at youtube.com
• How to Tie a Falconer's Knot at themodernapprentice.com