Falconry in the United Arab Emirates

Falconry has been practiced in the Middle East for centuries. The Bedouin tribes used the birds to hunt in the desert to supplement their diet with meat.

Nowadays, falconry has become a favorite hobby for many wealthy Emirati men. The friends regularly meet in the evenings to train their birds to hunt, and Getty Images photographer Dan Kitwood also attended one of these meetings.

(Total 15 photos)

1. A falcon sits on the armrest of a car in Abu Dhabi. For the Saudis, the falcon is an indicator of status. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

2. Falcon sits on a perch before evening training. These birds are the symbol of the United Arab Emirates and are depicted on banknotes and on the coat of arms of the UAE. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

3. GPS device on a falcon. Falconry is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

4. Saif al-Kandi uses bait during falcon training. They always buy an untrained bird so that it is trained exclusively for one person - the owner. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

5. A man prepares a drone with falcon bait. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

6. The Saudis watch the flight of a drone, which is tied to a bait consisting of a bunch of feathers. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

7. The falcon caught the bait. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

8. Bird training is carried out by rewarding with a treat. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

9. Now the falcon will hunt a real dove. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

10. The hunt was successful. The falcon is now full. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

11. Leather caps that are put on the head of a falcon are sold in a store in Abu Dhabi. They are used so that the bird is not distracted by what is happening around and is not frightened. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

12. Special ropes used to tie a falcon are sold in a store in Abu Dhabi. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

13. Falcons are sold in a store in Abu Dhabi. The price of "genetically pure" birds at auctions can exceed a million dollars. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

14. The Saudis with their hunting falcons after an evening workout in Abu Dhabi. Falconry is an important part of the Arab heritage and culture. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

16. (© Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)