Falconry is a revered past-time in the UAE, and it will soar to new heights this fall when some of the country’s most prized birds go up for auction.
ADIHEX’s falcon auction is taking place from Monday September 27 to Sunday October 3, right in time for the hunting and competition seasons.
The event promises to be fast-paced and exciting, with daily auctions happening at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Local and international breeders and merchants will be flocking to Abu Dhabi to buy the finest feathered flyers.
They will also be selling directly to thousands of falconers who are looking to purchase their next star hunter or championship-winner.
The hunting season begins at the end of this year, while the competitive season will take flight at the beginning of 2022, so falconers will have plenty of time to train their new feathered friends.
Both seasons are an exciting time for the UAE, where falconry is considered an art form and falconers build lifelong bonds with their birds of prey.
Falconry has been around for the last 4,000 years in the Arabian Peninsula, where Bedouin used falcons for hunting in a resource-scarce and harsh landscape.
In traditional hunting practice, falcons are used to take down prey, and salukis find and retrieve it. The falcon auction will be followed by a saluki beauty contest, also being held at ADNEC, showcasing the falcon’s favourite hunting partner.
If you’re interested in learning more about falconry in the UAE, you can always stop by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which is the largest of its kind in the world.
Breeding programmes have strengthened local falcon populations by making them stronger and more immune to diseases.
Click here to discover more about UAE wildlife, and the huge efforts being made to conserve it.
Shall we start the birding?
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) Monday September 27 to Sunday October 3. Visit the ADIHEX website to register adihex.com/ (02 6674230).
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