Hunting with birds of prey probably originated with the nomadic peoples of the Asiatic plains. The nomads used their tame falcons to help procure the food necessary for survival, in perhaps one of the first methods of hunting ever used by man.
Later, falconry developed into a sport, and this fascinating co-operation between man and bird is one of the oldest of all open-air pastimes.
Falconry has long been regarded as a noble art. The falconer was seen as a figure of authority - mounted on his horse, surrounded by his hunting companions and with his falcon descending from the sky to rest on his hand. As he controlled his falcon, so he controlled his territory.
Throughout history the falcon has been the symbol of high birth and luxury, and its care and training have always been given particular importance. It is known as a superlative hunter, and is particularly valuable in the desert, where climatic conditions are extreme and no protection from the elements is available. Here, the falcon can pursue its prey from a great distance, and with a speed and accuracy second to none. It is no wonder that the desert nomads have always appreciated the stamina and hunting instincts of the falcon. The Bedouin people in particular used this bird to hunt game, which provided an important and nutritious addition to an otherwise monotonous diet.
Today, the Arabian Peninsula is one of the last places in the world where falconry remains an important sporting activity. Although falconry clubs do exist in America and in almost all European countries, it is in the Gulf region that the sport is held in truly high regard and commands the greatest interest. The people of the Gulf have a strong personal commitment to falconry and ensure that it is practised in the correct manner, with the proper respect due to Islamic customs.
The chief falconer is highly respected, as he is responsible for the birds' daily training and care. The falcon requires much human contact and careful attention on a daily basis, or it will quickly grow wild and therefore unreliable. When hunting, an experienced falconer drives his bird ahead to pursue the prey, following at speed to ensure that he is on the spot within a few seconds of the falcon's landing of the game. It is essential that the falcon's talons are well placed in the prey before it lands.
The falconer also needs to ensure that there is no fighting between the falcon and its prey, to avoid injury to either bird. The falcon is less skilful on the ground than it is in flight and may lose its courage when confronted with a larger bird.
Finally, the falconer must be present to ensure that the game is killed according to Islamic custom.
The Houbara Bustard is the falcon's chief prey. This is a large, fast-flying desert bird about the size of a heron, and it is hunted for its delicious meat. Great skill is needed by the falcon in tracking down a bird of this size and speed, as it is often required to cover distances of four or five kilometres before finally capturing its prey.
In falconry, the splendid gyrfalcon (falco rutsticolus) is much prized for its size and the handsome appearance of its grey-white plumage. The peregrine falcon has darker, brown-and-cream plumage, and can pursue its prey at a tremendous rate, often achieving speeds of over 200km/h, making it the fastest of all living creatures. The peregrine falcon has been threatened with extinction, but as a result of intensive research by falconers, it is now being successfully bred in captivity, and its numbers are again increasing.
The conservation of these noble birds ensures that the sight of a falcon soaring upward from his master's hand will always be a breathtaking and unforgettable experience.
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