The Fredericus RexMalta Falconers

About Us

A Society Built Around Birds, Books and Patience

The Fredericus Rex Malta Falconers takes its name from Frederick II of Hohenstaufen — the thirteenth-century emperor, King of Sicily and lord of Malta, whose treatise De Arte Venandi cum Avibus remains the foundation of ethical, observational falconry. Our society exists to keep that scholarly, patient tradition alive on the Maltese islands, and to place it firmly at the service of raptor conservation.

Mission

To preserve and transmit the historic art of falconry as living Maltese cultural heritage; to uphold the highest standards of care for birds of prey held under licence; and to advance public understanding, protection and appreciation of wild raptors across Malta and Gozo.

Vision

A Malta where every schoolchild can name the raptors that pass over their village in September, where an injured kestrel is carried to help instead of hidden away, and where the craft of the falconer is respected as heritage practised responsibly and lawfully.

Portrait of a peregrine falcon against a dark background

History

Heritage & Milestones

  1. The Beginning

    A handful of falconers, one shared library

    The society grew out of an informal circle of Maltese falconers who met to share sources, translate historic texts and standardise how their birds were housed and flown.

  2. Formalisation

    Written code of conduct adopted

    Members agreed a binding welfare and ethics code covering mews construction, weight management, veterinary access and the lawful keeping of birds under Maltese and EU rules.

  3. Outreach

    First school programme

    Our educators began visiting Maltese primary schools with static displays and talks, building the programme that now reaches over a thousand students each year.

  4. Registration

    Enrolled as a Voluntary Organisation — VO/1169

    Formal registration with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations gave the society the transparency and governance framework it operates under today.

  5. Today

    Heritage exhibitions, rescue support, national awareness

    The society runs heritage demonstrations at village feasts, supports raptor rescue during both migrations, and publishes guidance for the public on protected species.

Our People

Leadership & Licensed Falconers

Eldon Clarke

Founder & Chairperson

A falconer of long standing and the society's principal contact. He oversees governance, correspondence with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, and the heritage research programme.

Senior Falconry Officer

Head of Practice & Field Standards

Responsible for the inspection of members' mews, the weight-management logs, flight equipment standards and the mentoring of apprentice falconers.

Wildlife Care Coordinator

Raptor Rescue & Rehabilitation

Coordinates the transport of grounded and injured raptors to licensed veterinary care, keeps intake records, and liaises with rehabilitation partners on Malta and Gozo.

Education Programme Director

Schools, Youth & Public Outreach

Designs the classroom curriculum and courtyard demonstrations, trains volunteer educators, and manages bookings with schools, councils and heritage organisations.

Traditional falconry mews with hand-made hoods and jesses on a peg wall

Compliance

Transparency & Legal Verification

We publish our legal identifiers openly. The following details correspond exactly to our entry with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations in Malta and may be used for grant, TechSoup and Google Workspace for Nonprofits validation.

Legal Name
The Fredericus Rex Malta Falconers
Voluntary Organisation Number
VO/1169
Legal Status
Registered Non-Profit Voluntary Organisation (NGO) — Cultural Heritage & Wildlife Society
Registered Address
379 Triq Haz- Zabbar, Il-Fgura FGR 1231, Malta
Telephone
+356 7762 6972
Email
eldon-clarkekzxk@gmx.com
Country
Malta