ISALC, Lewis and Clark College

The Art of Training Falcons for Hunting by Saeed Al-Mehairbi

 

Falconry is considered one of the most important sports in my country, the United Arab Emirates. Actually, it is a part of nomadic life. Some have said it is the "sport of kings." It is the art of training falcons, hawks, or eagles to hunt. According to the World Book Encyclopedia, this sport was begun more than 3,000 years ago by ancient Chinese and Persians. It has continued in many parts of the world, such as North America, Europe and is most popular in the Middle East. The person who trains the bird is called a Falconer. Training the bird requires good experience and a lot of patience.

Falconers use much equipment to support them while training falcons. For example, they use a hood (alburqa) to cover the falcon's eyes to keep him calm. and Jesses, "leg straps" (alburqa) to control and limit the bird's movement. Leather gloves (mangalah) are used to protect the trainer's hand from talons. Also, they use a round, wooden block (alwaker) connected with an iron stick, as a seat for the falcon. Normally, training the falcon takes many steps in a period lasting for four weeks.

Basically, the birds go through many stages of training in order to make them ready to hunt. The winter is the main time to train falcons. The falcon's owner starts the training period by focusing on the bird to know him well. Often, some owners give the falcon a special name. In the first stage of training, the falconer should spend much time with the bird to get used to him, and gradually, the falcon will get used to the touch and sounds of his trainer. Also, he learns to accept food from his trainer. During this learning process, the hood must be placed over the bird's face. Also, the falcon must learn to sit on his seat or on the trainer's hand, which is covered by gloves, and it should be held by jesses which are connected with a swiveled leash. This leash is attached by a string with the trainer's gloves or the bird's seat. All these steps during the first stage are very important to teach the bird to be tame. Commonly, the first stage lasts for one week.

When the falcon gets used to the trainer, the hood is removed from the falcon's face. He is still held by the jesses, but he is allowed to jump from the seat to the trainer's hand. The second step occurs out in the desert, between afternoon and evening. The trainer starts to walk for a short distance from the birds. After that, he starts to swing a lure, which consists of a dried bird called Houbara, that is tied with a fresh piece of meat. While the trainer swings the lure, he calls the bird. When the falcon hears the call, he flies toward it. While the bird is approaching, the lure is brought down to the ground. As soon as the falcon catches the lure, the trainer gives him the piece of meat as a reward. Gradually, the lure is now connected with a live pigeon, which is thrown into the air when the falcon is released. During the training, the distance between the trainer and falcon is increased to a hundred meters. This stage usually lasts approximately for two weeks.

In the last stage the chase begins. Now, the falcon is ready to follow the prey and catch it. At this time, the falcon must be on the trainer's hand. When the trainer notices a Houbara flying around, he must remove the hood from the falcon's face and release him to swoop over the bird. While the falcon follows the Houbara, the trainer must follow the falcon. In the past hunters used to follow the falcons on horseback or camel. Nowadays, they use four-wheel vehicles. As soon as the falcon catches the bird, the trainer should give him a small piece of meat as a reward.

Training falcons with patience is an essential task in order to get a good hunting bird when the season begins. I am really interested in this sport. Actually, it reminds me of my father's youthful days. When I was young, I was very surprised that my father was so concerned about the falcons. He treated them as his young son or daughter. I was very proud of him. As I mentioned, it falconry is a very important sport in my country. Therefore, the people there show the birds real concern. They know the bird's victory gives them a good reputation. Whenever I practice training or hunting with a falcon, it brings a sense of pleasure and bravery to me. I believe that falconry is a valuable inheritance from our ancestors and is to be kept forever.

Created by: krauss@lclark.edu
Updated: 10/23/99