And posting this meme resulted in me looking up the movie’s IMDB trivia page, which has these two entries:

Spike II, the hawk featured in this movie, worked in the Universal Bird Show until 2000, when she was transfered to the National Audubon society and became an Audubon Ambassador until she died in May 2007. Another hawk was used for flying scenes, and another to sit on Rutger Hauer’s arm. One enjoyed Hauer’s company so much it would ruffle its feathers when seated on his arm, making it look more like a chicken.

Based on geographical, historical, and astronomical facts, this movie’s action presumably takes place in 1386, in Italy, thirty-six years after the Black Death. Yet, although a real total eclipse did occur across southern France into Italy on January 1, 1386, dialogue specifically references the Crusades and there is none concerning the Black Death - and movie marketing indicated that this movie takes place during the thirteenth century. However, since this movie is a work of complete fiction, none of it matters.

There really should be more IMDB trivia entries like the second one.

Also, a hawk thinking Rutger Hauer was his kind of guy is very on-brand for Rutger Hauer.

And Matthew Broderick. One of my favorite fantasy movies from the 80s.