How to Learn Falconry in Abu Dhabi

Falconry has been a part of Emirati culture for centuries. The magnificent birds have been a part of Bedouin lifestyles for so long that the origins of when they became a part of Emirati culture are unknown. Originally used for hunting, falconry is an art and these birds of prey are symbols of pride and honour in modern Abu Dhabi. Read on to learn more about how you can learn falconry here.

How to Train Falcons

You must possess lots of patience. And you must understand the bird's temperament to be a good trainer. The initial phase of training a falcon is known as 'manning'; a time when the bird's fear of man is dispelled. During this time, a burqa, a leather hood covering the bird's head, is used. In order to make the hood, soft leather is used to avoid any discomfort to the bird. It's used to cover the eyes thus alleviating any distress to the falcon.

Trainers also use a forearm guard to protect the arm when the bird perches there. Plus, there is a stand on which the bird can rest. Among the best venues for sightseeing Abu Dhabi has to offer, is the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. There you can fully understand the importance awarded to these birds. Falconry is so popular that many luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi offer guests a chance to get up-close and personal with these birds. Guests at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara can take the falconry tour to watch the birds soar to the skies and return to the trainer for a treat. They can even pose for photographs with the bird on their arm.

Choosing the Right Bird for Training

Birds that are around 7 months are chosen to begin training. Training can take around 3 months to complete. Food deprivation is used to tame the birds and also create a bond with the trainer. During training, the birds are taught to attack prey and carry it back. The falcons are trained to carry weight by lifting decoys and flying thus building muscle strength. Feathery decoys are used during the training period. The trainer swings them to teach the bird to swoop down on the prey. Once the birds are ready, live prey is used to complete the training.

Since falcons are prized possessions, most birds have a small GPS device attached to their legs. This helps the trainer to track the birds if they get lost. The Peregrine Falcons can sell for over a million Dirhams.

The Traditions of Falconry in the UAE

These days, falconry is more than just a weapon for hunting – it is more of a sport. Extremely popular among the Arab natives, falcons trained to race can be sold for very high amounts. There are two popular types of falconry sport in the UAE: the first is shotgun falconry, which is a mesmerising sport where a trainer swings a bait on a rope. The falcon chasing this bait is a fascinating sight, as it dips and soars to get at the prey. The second is falcon races where falcons race each other to the finish line. The birds are lured there by the falconer standing at the finish line with bait to get the bird to fly there at top speed. The time that each bird takes to get to the finish line is recorded. The fastest is the winner. Modern technology is used at times for these races where bait is attached to drones to get the birds to fly faster.

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the largest and most advanced of its kind in the world. It is quite a thrill to visit the wards and see how comfortably the birds are taken care of. Tourists can also visit the Falcon Museum located at the hospital.