What does it mean to 'cast' a bird?

Casting a bird refers to the practice of restricting its movement for maintenance purposes. This is often done to ensure the bird remains calm and not overly active, which can help in various situations such as during training, health checks, or when the falconer is preparing the bird for a flight. It may involve using a jess or other equipment to secure the bird in place temporarily while the falconer conducts necessary maintenance tasks.

The other choices pertain to different activities related to falconry or bird care, such as teaching the bird to fly, feeding it, or grooming its feathers, but they do not accurately capture the specific action of "casting" as understood in falconry. This distinction is crucial for falconers who need to maintain a correct understanding of terminology and practices essential for caring for raptors.