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| |Body=Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. Small animals and larger animals were hunted, squirrels and rabbits often fell victim to these birds. | | |Body=For over 4000 years, falconry has been a traditional practice, and it has been documented in many different parts of the world. The practice of falconry in the early and medieval periods of history can be found in many different places. |
| ===History===
| | In medieval Europe, Middle East and the Mongolian Empire, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol, particularly among noble families. A peak in falconry might have been reached in the 17th century in the UK and parts of Europe, but it dwindled over time. Guns became popular for hunting in the late 18th and 19th centuries. |
| Evidence suggests that the art of falconry may have begun in Mesopotamia, with the earliest accounts dating to approximately 2,000 BC. There are also some raptor representations in the northern Altai, western Mongolia. The falcon was a symbolic bird of ancient Mongol tribes. There is some disagreement about whether such early accounts document the practice of falconry (from The Epic of Gilgamesh and others) or are misinterpreted depictions of humans with birds of prey. During the Turkic Period of Central Asia (7th century AD), concrete figures of falconer on horseback were described on the rocks in Kyrgyz. Falconry was probably introduced to Europe around AD 400, when the Huns and Alans invaded from the East. Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (1194–1250) is generally acknowledged as the most significant wellspring of traditional falconry knowledge. He is believed to have obtained firsthand knowledge of Arabic falconry during wars in the region (between June 1228 – June 1229). He obtained a copy of Moamyn's manual on falconry and had it translated into Latin by Theodore of Antioch. Frederick II himself made corrections to the translation in 1241 resulting in De Scientia Venandi per Aves. King Frederick II is most recognized for his falconry treatise, De arte venandi cum avibus ('The Art of Hunting with Birds'). Written himself toward the end of his life, it is widely accepted as the first comprehensive book of falconry, but also notable in its contributions to ornithology and zoology. De arte venandi cum avibus incorporated a diversity of scholarly traditions from east to west, and is one of the earliest challenges to Aristotle's explanations of nature. Historically, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe, the Middle East, and Mongolian Empire. Many historical illustrations left in Rashid al Din's 'Compendium chronicles' book described falconry of the middle centuries with Mongol images. Falconry was largely restricted to the noble classes due to the prerequisite commitment of time, money, and space. In art and in other aspects of culture such as literature, falconry remained a status symbol long after it was no longer popularly practiced. The historical significance of falconry within lower social classes may be underrepresented in the archaeological record, due to a lack of surviving evidence, especially from nonliterate nomadic and non-agrarian societies. Within nomadic societies like the Bedouin, falconry was not practiced for recreation by noblemen. Instead, falcons were trapped and hunted on small game during the winter months in order to supplement a very limited diet. In the UK and parts of Europe, falconry probably reached its zenith in the 17th century, but soon faded, particularly in the late 18th and 19th centuries, as firearms became the tool of choice for hunting (this likely took place throughout Europe and Asia in differing degrees). Falconry in the UK had a resurgence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during which time a number of falconry books were published. This revival led to the introduction of falconry in North America in the early 20th century. Col R. Luff Meredith is recognized as the father of North American falconry. Throughout the 20th century, modern veterinary practices and the advent of radio telemetry (transmitters attached to free-flying birds) increased the average lifespan of falconry birds and allowed falconers to pursue quarry and styles of flight that had previously resulted in the loss of their hawk or falcon.
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| ===Falconry around the world===
| | Today, falconry involves people of all ages in many countries, and focuses on protecting falcons, quarry, and habitats, as well as the practice itself. There are several entities that support falconry, including falcon hospitals and breeding facilities, conservation agencies, and traditional equipment manufacturers. Falconers have different backgrounds and practices, but they share universal values, traditions, and practices like the methods of breeding, training, and caring for birds, equipment used, and the bond they have with birds. |
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| Falconry is currently practiced in many countries around the world. The falconer's traditional choice of bird is the northern goshawk and peregrine falcon. In contemporary falconry in both North America and the UK they remain popular, although the Harris hawk and red-tailed hawk are likely more widely used. The northern goshawk and the golden eagle are more commonly used in Eastern Europe than elsewhere. In the Middle East, the saker falcon is the most traditional species flown against the houbara bustard, sandgrouse, stone-curlew, other birds and hares. Peregrines and other captively bred imported falcons are also commonplace. Falconry remains an important part of the Arab heritage and culture. The UAE reportedly spends over 27 million dollars annually towards the protection and conservation of wild falcons, and has set up several state-of-the-art falcon hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the largest falcon hospital in the whole world. There are two breeding farms in the Emirates, as well as those in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Every year, falcon beauty contests and demonstrations take place at the ADIHEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Sparrowhawks were formerly used to take a range of small birds, but are really too delicate for serious falconry and have fallen out of favour now that American species are available. In North America and the UK, falcons usually fly only after birds. Large falcons are typically trained to fly in the 'waiting-on' style, where the falcon climbs and circles above the falconer and/or dog and the quarry is flushed when the falcon is in the desired commanding position. Classical game hawking in the UK saw a brace of peregrine falcons flown against the red grouse, or merlins in 'ringing' flights after skylarks. Rooks and crows are classic game for the larger falcons, and the magpie, making up in cunning what it lacks in flying ability, is another common target. Short-wings can be flown in both open and wooded country against a variety of bird and small mammal prey. Most hunting with large falcons requires large open tracts where the falcon is afforded opportunity to strike or seize its quarry before it reaches cover. Most of Europe practices similar styles of falconry, but with differing degrees of regulation. Medieval falconers often rode horses but this is now rare with the exception of contemporary Kazakh and Mongolian falconry. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia, the golden eagle is traditionally flown (often from horseback), hunting game as large as foxes and wolves. In Japan, the northern goshawk has been used for centuries. Japan continues to honor its strong historical links with falconry (takagari) while adopting some modern techniques and technologies. In Australia, although falconry is not specifically illegal, it is illegal to keep any type of bird of prey in captivity without the appropriate permits. The only exemption is when the birds are kept for purposes of rehabilitation (for which a licence must still be held), and in such circumstances it may be possible for a competent falconer to teach a bird to hunt and kill wild quarry, as part of its regime of rehabilitation to good health and a fit state to be released into the wild. In New Zealand, falconry was formally legalised for one species only, the swamp/Australasian harrier (Circus approximans) in 2011. This was only possible with over 25 years of effort from both Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre and The Raptor Association of New Zealand (RANZ). Falconry can only be practiced by people who have been issued a falconry permit by the Department of Conservation. There are currently only four practicing falconers in New Zealand. Tangent aspects, such as bird abatement and raptor rehabilitation also employ falconry techniques to accomplish their goals.
| | In traditional falconry, northern goshawk and peregrine falcons are commonly used birds. Despite their popularity, Harris' hawks and red-tail hawks are more commonly encountered today in North America and the UK. Northern goshawk and golden eagles are more common in Eastern Europe than elsewhere. Saker falcons are the most traditional species flown against the houbara bustard, sandgrouse, stone-curlew, and other birds in the Middle East. |
| | In medieval times, falconers rode horses, but this is mostly rare except in Kazakhstan and Mongolia. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia, golden eagles fly (often on horses), hunting animals such as foxes and wolves. |
| | Modern veterinary practices and radio telemetry, which attach transmitters to free-flying birds, have allowed falconers to quarry and pursue styles of flight that previously led to the loss of hawks or falcons. |
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| ===Falconry today===
| | Originally a means of obtaining food, falconry has acquired other values over time and has become a way of interacting with nature and connecting with communities. Throughout many countries, it is regarded as an important cultural symbol and has been passed from generation to generation through mentoring, within the family unit or through training clubs. |
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| Falcons can live into their mid-teens, with larger hawks living longer and eagles likely to see out middle-aged owners. Through the captive breeding of rescued birds, the last 30 years have seen a great rebirth of the sport, with a host of innovations; falconry's popularity, through lure flying displays at country houses and game fairs, has probably never been higher in the past 300 years. Ornithologist Tim Gallagher, editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Living Bird magazine, documented his experiences with modern falconry in a 2008 book, Falcon Fever. Making use of the natural relationship between raptors and their prey, today, falconry is used to control pest birds and animals in urban areas, landfills, commercial buildings, and airports. Falconer Dan Frankian of Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control frequently speaks on the subject to news crews while his hawks and falcons are flying over Toronto City Hall, in an effort to control the city's gull and pigeon population. Falconry centres or birds of prey centres house these raptors. They are responsible for many aspects of bird of prey conservation (through keeping the birds for education and breeding). Many conduct regular flying demonstrations and educational talks, and are popular with visitors worldwide. Such centres may also provide falconry courses, hawk walks, displays and other experiences with these raptors - see links at bottom of page for details.
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| UNESCO page: [https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/falconry-a-living-human-heritage-01209]
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| |URL=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falconry | | |URL=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falconry |
| |Subject=Craftsmanship and Practices | | |Subject=Craftsmanship and Practices, Entertainment and Recreation |
| |Country=Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria | | |Country=Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria |
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For over 4000 years, falconry has been a traditional practice, and it has been documented in many different parts of the world. The practice of falconry in the early and medieval periods of history can be found in many different places.
In medieval Europe, Middle East and the Mongolian Empire, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol, particularly among noble families. A peak in falconry might have been reached in the 17th century in the UK and parts of Europe, but it dwindled over time. Guns became popular for hunting in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, falconry involves people of all ages in many countries, and focuses on protecting falcons, quarry, and habitats, as well as the practice itself. There are several entities that support falconry, including falcon hospitals and breeding facilities, conservation agencies, and traditional equipment manufacturers. Falconers have different backgrounds and practices, but they share universal values, traditions, and practices like the methods of breeding, training, and caring for birds, equipment used, and the bond they have with birds.
In traditional falconry, northern goshawk and peregrine falcons are commonly used birds. Despite their popularity, Harris' hawks and red-tail hawks are more commonly encountered today in North America and the UK. Northern goshawk and golden eagles are more common in Eastern Europe than elsewhere. Saker falcons are the most traditional species flown against the houbara bustard, sandgrouse, stone-curlew, and other birds in the Middle East.
In medieval times, falconers rode horses, but this is mostly rare except in Kazakhstan and Mongolia. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia, golden eagles fly (often on horses), hunting animals such as foxes and wolves.
Modern veterinary practices and radio telemetry, which attach transmitters to free-flying birds, have allowed falconers to quarry and pursue styles of flight that previously led to the loss of hawks or falcons.
Originally a means of obtaining food, falconry has acquired other values over time and has become a way of interacting with nature and connecting with communities. Throughout many countries, it is regarded as an important cultural symbol and has been passed from generation to generation through mentoring, within the family unit or through training clubs.