Abu Dhabi Falconry -- National Geographic

Falcon Portrait
Photograph by Dave Yoder
Once a livelihood for hard-pressed Bedouin hunters, falconry survives in Abu Dhabi today as sport. Part of the challenge is the spirit of the raptors themselves: They aren't the easiest animals to tame. Falconers spend months each year training their birds to hunt in the wild.
Falcon in Car
Photograph by Dave Yoder
A falcon is taken by car to a training area in the Abu Dhabi desert.
Falcons With Bedouin
Photograph by Dave Yoder
Traditionally, Bedouin men would trap wild falcons, then use them to catch prey for a time before releasing them back into the wild.
Falcon Release
Photograph by Dave Yoder
Freed for training, a falcon flies off. The expensive birds have radio transmitters attached and can be tracked.
Training Decoy
Photograph by Dave Yoder
A falconer uses a decoy to help train his raptors.
Confused Falcon
Photograph by Dave Yoder
This falcon, confused by the unfamiliar spectators, picked up a sandal and flew off with it into the desert.
Prey
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
A pigeon is prepared for release as the falcon's training prey. The raptors' traditional quarry is the houbara bustard.
Hunt
Photograph by Dave Yoder
Released, the falcon takes off after the pigeon.
Reward
Photograph by Dave Yoder
After the falcon captures the pigeon, it is allowed to eat some of it.
Falconry Cleaning
Photograph by Dave Yoder
A falconer sprays water on his bird to clean it after it eats. Falconry is a centuries-old tradition in the Arabian Gulf, part of the cultural heritage.