Housing
The housing for a raptor can be best defined by two similar but different terms:
Mews –
- Designed to house the raptor in an enclosed environment
- Often built out of a shed or stick framed
Weathering Areas –
- Designed as an area for the bird to be exposed to the weather such as sunlight, cold air, wind, and rain
- Sometimes built of kennel fencing
To the right is Brian and Jenna Diehl’s beautifully constructed facilities. The rear portion is constructed like a hallway with equipment storage with entrances into two separate (and joinable) chambers.

There are some common requirements and recommendations for the structure.
- Sunlight entrances via windows or slats
- Openings to outside no wider than the housed birds body
- Tethering system so that the bird cannot touch the walls or sides of the structure
- Free lofted structures will often include multiple perches
- Included bath pan
- Ability for bird to have protection from the weather if a hybrid area
