My T'bred mare will do ANYthing for me (including going to horse shows and hunter trials and jumping over large objects that she could easily go around) but that's because I treat her with considerate kindness (slipping the reins rather than hang her in the mouth, making sure she's walked, fed, and watered before I sit down, etc.) and she repays with interest. We brought home a sackful of ribbons this weekend from a local show (actually, my kids got most of them, but the Grace and I entered a few classes and won) and she lips at them hanging outside her stall door because it makes us laugh . . . but she really has no idea about the honor of the blue and multicolored ribbons, she does it because the humans want her to. Good girl.
Laz, I'm not really surprised that you're getting into falconry . . . it seems in character :-D I have a friend here in the ATL area who is a falconer and also has a permit to rehabilitate wild birds . . . if you're ever through this way I could introduce you . . . his whole back yard is enclosed in chicken wire and he has some beautiful birds.