

Whoosh, whoosh. Feathered wings sweep through the air. A massive bird seeks a landing. It moves toward its master, claws extended. The bird lands with a jolt on the waiting arm. In the Middle East, falconry is both cultural symbol and treasured tradition.
Falconry is hunting with and training birds of prey. Falconers train birds to locate and capture wild animals—holding them for the falconer.
In many parts of the world, falconry has existed for centuries—or longer. Stone tablets from the 700s B.C. depict an Assyrian hunter, or falconer, with a large bird perched atop his outstretched arm. For possibly thousands of years, falcons and falconers hunted meat for survival in the harsh desert.
Even today, “falcons have a very special place in the heart of the Emiratis,” says Margit Muller. She is the director of a state-of-the-art falcon hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. She says, “Here, falcons are not considered birds; they are considered children of the Bedouins.” Historically, the Bedouins were nomads of the region who relied on falconry.
Falcons are highly prized animals, females being the most sought after. “The female is usually one third bigger than the male and more powerful,” says Muller. Some female falcons can cost as much as $108,000.
Falconers in the UAE spend over $27 million yearly protecting and preserving falcons at hospitals in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai. The hospital performs routine checkups, talon trimmings, and even complex surgeries, including leg and wing repairs.
In the waiting room of the Abu Dhabi falcon hospital, two birds perch grandly near owner Eid al-Qobeissy. They’re awaiting a checkup before a hunting trip. The birds wear leather hoods to keep them calm and quiet in the luxe waiting room.
“This has been a hobby of mine since 2007,” says al-Qobeissy, gently stroking one of his birds.
The Abu Dhabi facility is the largest falcon hospital in the world. It treats about 11,000 falcons yearly. Falconers from across the region visit the facility.
For falconer Salem al-Mansouri from Abu Dhabi, falconry is more than a time-consuming and expensive pastime: It’s a symbol of Emirati culture.
“Falcons were used to hunt, and you can say that it was the only method for hunting for survival . . . hundreds of years ago,” he says.
Sharing a heritage, passing along what’s seen and heard—these are principles found throughout the Bible. The Apostle Paul emphasizes teaching future generations the truths of God’s word. He also instructs Timothy to teach what he’s learned to others. (2 Timothy 2:2)
“We inherited it from our grandfathers and fathers, who taught us,” al-Mansouri says, “and now we teach the next generation.”
First comment! (This is Mylee )
Wow falcons cost so much. To buy and to take care of 27 million yearly to protect them.My parents would not let me have a falcon if it cost more than my house lol. Who likes birds? I like to bird watch sometimes with my younger brother.
2nd Comment
I can't believe that ONE BIRD can cost soo much! Well i guess i can, but you get what I mean!!! ;) I think falconry is really cool, and think it would be fun to have one myself, but then I don't really need the food or anything, so what would be the use? I guess I could use it to catch mice around the barn. Anyway, they are WAY too expensive to get! Has anyone ever read the "My Side of the Mountain" series? It is really good. It is about this boy, Sam Gribly, who goes off into the Catskills and survives on his own, living in a Hemlock tree and catching and training a Peregrine Falcon for hunting and surviving. It is a really fun series. I recommend it!!!!
(This is Mylee)
Riley D. I agree . About the falcons ,they are so expensive“!My Side of the Mountain” sounds extremely familiar I will have to check and see If I have read it before. :)
this is Mylee
Riley D. I found My Side of the Mountain on our book shelves at home. I have never read it before so here I go.
@Mylee and London S
Way to go!!!! It is a really good book!! I hope you enjoy it!!
This is Mylee
I am 75% done with the book it is really cool! I love books and movies when people have to survive in the wilderness.Like box car children and some others.
@Mylee
Wow!! You must read fast!! But I guess I read fast too! :) I am glad you like it! There are two other books after that one that are a lot of fun also. I think it would be cool to live in a tree like Sam!!! I have also read a bunch of Boxcar Children too. another survival one that is nonfiction is Seven Alone. Really good too. It is also a movie.
Riley d (this is Mylee)
Amazing book I finished it Friday I am a fast reader lol. I’ll see if we have the two other books.My mom buys books all the time at garage sales and thrift stores.So we have 4 big bookshelves of books, some I Havent even read before! Seven alone sounds cool so I’ll have to check it out.
9th comment P.S. this is Caro
You know I think it is kind of funny that the females cost more because they are better hunters.. Just like lionesses who are the hunters (;
@Mylee
Yay!! Glad you finished it and liked it!!
@Caro: I know right! that is totally true. The females are even actually bigger than the males. Or did it say that in the article? :)
I'm so glad that falconry is
I'm so glad that falconry is still around! I love the word, and the bond the falcons share with their owners. It's so cool, how God has given us so many creatures to love and protect!
@Riley D
I've read all three My Side of the Mountain books. They're really good!
@Kara N
Cool! Me too!! I agree they are good!
in slideshow
i think the falcon hospital is SOOO CUTE!!!! but it does make me wonder how they get the falcons to stay put! :)
@Belwyn R
So to get them to stay put they put jess (not sure if I spelled that right) and put hoods on them. The hoods keep them from seeing anything but dark, which keeps them calm. They are not going to fly if they can't see. The jesses are around their feet. They are mainly to tie them up or for the hunter to hold. Hope that helps!
@ Riley D.
yeah i knew about the jesses and everything but thanks for reminding me. [ id forgotten :) ] i guess i just didn't see any jesses in the pic...
@Belwyn R
Yeah, the only one I think I see them in is the one where it looks like the picture is in a car (in the slideshow)
@ Riley D.
yeah maybe.........thanks :)
Riley, I love My Side of the
Riley, I love My Side of the Mountain! When I was like ten my aunt told me I should read it and I said "No way." Because I didn't want to read a book about a boy :)
I knew someone who had a Falcon.
CAN I HAVE A FALCON!!!
I want one sooooo bad someone has to give me one...STAT
From code name DogSledder
Has anyone ever read Ali and the Golden Eagle? it is about falcons... It has some stuff about Muslim culture...but the story is great!
And I read My side of the Mountain when I was 8... I kind of liked it, but then we lost the book. I'll look into getting it again, because I don't remember much. it was a small book with small print and I was 8.
@Above
@Emilia G: lol that is funny!
@Desarose: No, I have not read that one before. I should look into it!
Great Job!
They're doing a great job taking care of the falcons! :)