The hobby of raising falcons has received great attention since ancient times, and the number of its fans has multiplied over and over again, and its traditions and etiquette have developed with this great demand. This hobby has been known to the Arabs since the beginning of their early eras, and they relied on falcons and some raptors in hunting operations to earn their livelihood and livelihood.
The falcon is classified as a bird of prey, distinguished by the blackness of its eyes and its speed exceeding 300 kilometers per hour when it attacks prey. It is also distinguished by its visual acuity that exceeds 4 to 8 times the acuity of human sight.
Falcons are divided into dozens of species, according to their sizes, weights, feather colors, speed, and ability to fly. Falcons live in multiple geographical and climatic regions, from hot deserts to very cold snowy regions.
Falcon production
In an interview with “Al-Bilad” with international falconer Salman Al-Balushi, who is the owner of a falconry auction, he said that falcon breeds are divided into 4 categories, including “the free, the peregrine, the jire, and the wukri,” which are the falcons that falconry enthusiasts currently own, noting that the production of falcons in Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf region have witnessed development in terms of increased production and hybridization between types of falcons such as the “Gyr and the Shaheen,” so that the falcon combines courage and speed, as the “local Gulf” production has reached advanced stages at the level of competition in competitions and hunting, in which falconers are now competing. Global levels.
He pointed out that the Gulf falconer has knowledge of how to mate falcons in terms of species and colours, so the Gulf falconer has become a skilled falcon producer.
International competitions
He stressed that the Bahraini falconer is known in Gulf circles for his abilities at the “sniper” level, so we find that many have achieved championships and advanced numbers in international, Gulf and Arab competitions, thanks to the existence of local competitions that have contributed to providing opportunities to participate in various types of tournaments.
Care and trade
He confirms that caring for and raising falcons requires the breeder to pay attention and provide periodic, weekly inspection of the falcon, along with providing appropriate foods such as “fodder,” which costs about 30 dinars per month per bird. As for trade in the world of falcons, it varies in terms of colors, sizes, and types of species, as the trade in falcons It changes every year in many different directions according to breeds and colors, which is considered the exchange of variables that control prices. The bright white “ultra white” hawk is considered one of the most expensive falcons in the world, in addition to other types such as the hawk hawk, the blond hawk, and the black hawk. There are rare falcons. Among their colors, he explained that ospreys and goshawks are among the category of falcons that are dealt with in Western countries. As for the categories that are closest in acquisition for Gulf falconers, they are the four types: “the free, the jirr, the peregrine, and the wakri,” and in each breed there are rare falcons, and the price of the falcons is Champions 50 thousand dinars and above.
Regarding the prices of buying and selling falcons, he confirms that the prices range from 500 dinars to 120 thousand dinars, and the hunting falcon differs from the competition falcon in competitions, but a skilled falconer can turn a competition falcon into a sniper falcon.
Bird burqa
Regarding the reasons for placing the “burqa” on the head of falcons, he says: “It was said in ancient times, as the people of Lol say… half the beginning of falconry is a burqa, and the reason for placing the burqa on the head and between the eyes is so that the falcon feels safe and does not become ferocious when he is worried.”
He recommended the importance of preserving the heritage of falconry and teaching younger generations the skills of “hunting and hunting” and participating in competitions, as raising falcons can teach generations good morals, good manners, and good manners in dealing with others.
In response to Al-Bilad’s question about providing advice to those who wish to acquire and raise a falcon, he said that we always advise beginners to acquire a “good bird,” and it is not necessary to start by acquiring an expensive falcon. In light of the large amount of production, it is possible to acquire a bird for a price of 500 dinars.
Falcon hawks
“Bird poaching” is the term by which falconer Salman Al Balushi means the period when falcons replace their old feathers by shedding them “removing them” so that new feathers grow in their place, in the summer season of each year during the period from March to September, as falcons need within a period extending to 7 Months of care related to the quality of food and special care to protect them from diseases inside the hatching rooms, explaining that the peregrine falcons and the Saker falcons can live in moderate climates, while the ger is the falcon of cold and snowy areas, but a skilled falconer can make the ger be able to adapt to live in the atmosphere of the Gulf region.
Olympic interest
From another angle, he said that falcon racing competitions received interest at the Olympic level, and Bahraini competitors participated for the first time in the Olympic Games alongside 20 teams and achieved third place in an open international tournament, in which Gulf, Arabs and Europeans competed, pointing out that the Bahraini falconer has proven his worth in international forums. At the same time, he hopes to increase the number of local contests and competitions, so that those interested in raising and caring for falcons in the Kingdom can hold an international exhibition in the near future that brings together companies, interested parties and traders under one roof, through which experiences can be exchanged and commitment to protecting endangered birds can be strengthened, in addition to buying and selling. Falcons holding passports.
Tuck the hawk
Al-Dass is a glove that the falconer wears to protect his hand from the claws of the bird. It must be pointed out here the etiquette of holding and carrying the bird, so Al-Balushi said that it is the custom of Gulf and Arab falconers to hold and carry the falcon with the left hand, because that contains the basics of the teachings of Al-Sana, so that the right hand is available. To shake hands and drink coffee.
Falcon colors
Regarding the colors of falcons found in Bahrain and distributed in the Arabian Gulf region, Al Balushi pointed to several colors, including green, red, blond, white, black, falcon, ash, and speckled. Gulf falconers prefer the colors of the blond Saker bird, as well as the black Saker Falcon. The most expensive color is the bright-white peregrine falcon, whose price ranges from 120 thousand dinars and above, pointing out that there are 20 subspecies to the Shaheen.
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