Ancient Art of Falconry Offers Modern Healing in Moving Memoir
While many rural traditions might be best left in history's rearview mirror, one ancient practice is experiencing a remarkable contemporary revival through a deeply personal story of recovery and connection. Falconry, the centuries-old art of training birds of prey, has become an unexpected source of healing and wisdom in Candida Meyrick's compelling new book Be More Bird.
A Transformative Journey From Diagnosis to Partnership
Candida Meyrick's extraordinary journey began with a life-altering cancer diagnosis several years before she welcomed Bird, her Harris hawk, into her life in 2020. During what she describes as the "horrifying limbo of treatment," Meyrick underwent a profound personal transformation. She discovered a new appreciation for simple pleasures—lying in a hammock, watching her children play—experiencing these moments as "rapturous connections with the world around her."
This hard-won perspective of living completely in the moment became her salvation during recovery, fundamentally changing how she approached life. Seeking a companion to share this renewed outlook, Meyrick turned to an unlikely partner: a magnificent Harris hawk she named Bird.
The Falconer's Philosophy: Partnership Over Control
What makes Meyrick's account particularly compelling is her understanding of falconry not as mastery over another creature, but as developing a genuine partnership with a wild animal. Each chapter of her book begins with practical life lessons drawn from observing Bird's behavior—from becoming a better parent to confronting mortality with grace.
One poignant example details how watching Bird soar completely out of sight, trusting the hawk would return, helped Meyrick manage her anxiety when her daughter undertook her first solo transatlantic flight. This illustrates the book's central premise: that observing these magnificent creatures can teach us profound truths about trust, independence, and resilience.
Remarkable Creatures of Power and Instinct
Harris hawks possess extraordinary capabilities that explain why they've been favored companions of royalty throughout history. Weighing little more than a bag of sugar, these birds are expert hunters capable of taking down prey as large as roe deer. Their combination of power, grace, and independence makes them fascinating subjects for observation and partnership.
Bird demonstrated astonishing natural intelligence shortly after joining the Meyrick household. After flying into a tree at full speed (approximately 33mph) and damaging her talons, the hawk developed a serious infection. When Meyrick next took the injured bird outside, Bird flew directly to a white willow tree, scraping her beak against the bark and taking bites. The hawk then began eating wild thyme—both white willow being the active ingredient in aspirin and thyme possessing powerful antiseptic properties. Through this instinctive self-medication, Bird made a complete recovery.
Universal Wisdom From Unusual Circumstances
While Meyrick's circumstances are undoubtedly unusual—the book reveals she lives on substantial grounds with peacocks and references her husband's 700-year family history—the insights she gains from her partnership with Bird transcend social standing. The life lessons about trust, healing, and living authentically in the moment resonate universally, offering readers unexpected wisdom drawn from the natural world.
Be More Bird successfully blends memoir, beginner's guide to falconry, and self-help into what reviewers are calling a "wholly wonderful" exploration of human-animal connection. Through her partnership with Bird, Meyrick demonstrates how ancient practices can offer modern solutions for healing, growth, and finding meaning in life's challenges.
