Top 3 Falcon Breeds in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is famous for its rich cultural heritage and diverse wildlife.
Among the most fascinating creatures that call this area home are falcons.

These majestic birds of prey have long been revered by the Emirati people as a symbol of strength and courage. The peregrine falcon is one of the most widespread falcon species in the world and is also found in the UAE. These magnificent birds are renowned for their amazing hunting skills and can reach speeds of up to 389 km/h when diving to catch their prey.

Peregrine falcons have a distinctive blue-grey back and wings, with a white underside and a black head, and are commonly found in the mountainous and coastal regions of the United Arab Emirates.

Types of falcons in the UAE

We will explore the different types of falcons found in the UAE, including their natural features, habitats, and hunting behaviors.
The types of falcons in the Emirates are limited to (three) main types that differ in terms of characteristics, color and features.

1. Peregrine falcon

The peregrine falcon is the most famous falcon species in the United Arab Emirates due to its extreme speed.
It is characterized by its small, graceful head, and in addition to the variety of colors, you will find black, brown, red, and often red-white spots with some spots.
The peregrine falcon, native to Siberia, is known for its loyalty and agility, and is capable of hunting a variety of prey.
Like pigeons and deer, it is one of the most popular species for falconry in the UAE.

2. The hawk

When you look at the hawk, also known as the peregrine falcon, you will notice that it is smaller than the gyrfalcon and larger than the peregrine falcon.

It is preferred by many falconers in the UAE due to its ability to withstand the toughest hunting conditions. It is also known for its varied colors, including dark brown and light gray, and its back is known for its single color without spots.

3. Gyrfalcon

The third, final and most famous species in the UAE is the gyrfalcon, known for its large size and distinctive white colour.
Gyrfalcons are known for their speed and ability to fly and chase prey over long distances.

As for the gyrfalcon's habitat, it prefers to live in the cooler regions of the northern part of the planet. There are several mixed species of gyrfalcon, resulting from the crossing of gyrfalcons from colder regions with gyrfalcons from warmer regions.

Falcons in the UAE

The Emirati falcon has several characteristics that distinguish it from other birds of prey. It is described as a skilled hunter. The falcon ranges in length from 25 to 70 cm and weighs approximately 2 kg.

Young eagles are weak and white at birth, and adults build their nests on coral reefs or trees, using twigs and grass to build their nests.

On the other hand, unlike other animals and birds, falcons are known for preferring to stay away from groups, and only gather during the mating season. This commando bird is also beloved by its family because it lives in one place throughout its life.

UAE's efforts to preserve falcons

The UAE has made many efforts to protect falcons, including:

• The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, launched a series of programs to reintroduce birds into the wild.
• He led the falconry program in 1995, in fact, more than 1,600 falcons were released from sites designated for this purpose.
• A public hospital was established in the capital, Abu Dhabi, to serve falcons. Today, the hospital receives more than 11,000 falcons for examination and treatment annually.

Falconry in the UAE

In fact, falconry is very important in the UAE because it is the primary means of instilling noble human values and teaching patience, pride, strength, courage, and honor.
Falconry also teaches you how to deceive your opponent with a lot of intelligence and courage, and one of the most important reasons for the existence of falconry is

• It is considered the most important traditional sport.
• In recognition of its role in nature conservation and sustainable regulated hunting.
• Deepening friendship and cooperation among sports practitioners.
• The creative skill achieved by the Emirati people in hunting wild falcons and taming them to be good companions under the supervision and call of their trainers.

Falcons Club in the Emirates

The idea of the Falcon Club emerged in the Emirates to preserve heritage and deepen relations in the Arab region, in addition to:

1. Working to spread awareness of the importance of preserving it as a unique and important heritage for the entire region.
2. Disseminating and teaching the noble morals associated with falconry, including courage, patience, strength, and pride.
3. Description of falcon species, their characteristics, life stages, native habitats, and migration seasons.
4. Preserving the ancestors' legacy in the field of falconry and passing it on to future generations in order to preserve this legacy.
5. Protecting a variety of falcons from extinction.

Falcon prices in the UAE

Falcon prices in the UAE vary depending on the falcon's type, color, importance, weight, breed, and size.

Is hunting falcons prohibited?

Fishing is currently prohibited in all areas worldwide without exception, including casting and net fishing.

Types of falcons and their names

There are many types of falcons, including:

1. Red-footed hawk.
2. Falcon of Amour.
3. Eleonora's Falcon.
4. Dark hawk.
5. Malagasy falcon.
6. Seychelles falcon.
7. Mauritian falcon.
8. Spotted falcon.
9. Nanjing falcon.
10. Rock hawk.
11. Familiar hawk.
12. big falcon
13. Fox hawk.
14. Peregrine falcon.
15. Dickinson's hawk.
16. Striped hawk.
17. Red-necked hawk.
18. Dark hawk.
19. American falcon.
20. Abulmado falcon.

Information about falconry

Falconry is one of the most popular sports in the UAE, receiving significant attention from the government and passed down through generations. Raising and training falcons is an art that Emiratis have mastered.
The falcon hunting season begins in November and lasts for approximately two months, as this coincides with the falcon migration season. Falconers rely on their experience to identify the falcons' passing areas and then employ a variety of techniques to hunt them.

Types of falcons in Saudi Arabia

One of the most famous types of falcons in Saudi Arabia

1. Peregrine falcon.
2. Falcon of the larva.
3. Gyrfalcon.
4. Falcon surgeon.
5. Small hawk.
6. Locust hawk.
7. Red kestrel.
8. Amoriya falcon.
9. Dark falcon.
10. Sunset hawk.
11. Pupil
12. A little while ago.
13. Falcon of the free.
14. Gazelle falcon.
15. Barbary falcon (Moroccan).

The most expensive types of falcons

There are hundreds of species of peregrine falcons available, depending on where and when they are found, but the peregrine falcons of the Arabian region can differ greatly from those of Southeast Asia and those available in continental Europe.

In ancient times, Arabs used falcons as a hunting tool instead of relying on hunting tools, and later it became a symbol of Arabs, because the falcon has the strength and courage to mount its prey.

It also has muscular strength and the ability to move its wings to rise quickly above its prey, making it one of the most expensive types of falcons, in addition to several other types such as:

1. Buzzard Falcon
2. Falcon
3. Falcon Crane
4. Lime Hook