This is International Week at work. There are two traditional Arab tents set up on campus, with a falcon at each one. I was lucky to have spent some time with one falcon named Saddam. This falcon was purchased in Iraq, and is about a year old. I didn’t ask how much Saddam cost but what was talked about around me as other people asked was inferred that Saddam is a very expensive bird of prey.
I was allowed to pat his chest. Not his wings. After a bit, the owner took the hood off. Saddam was hungry, very alert and on the lookout for pigeons. A handler was very swift in his action of returning the hood on the falcon’s head when Saddam became a bit too interested in looking for live food…..
There was another falcon named Baghdad, perched at the other tent. Baghdad was for people to look at only as a sign was posted not to touch him!
Falconry is a part of Qatari culture and it was such a treat to see the falcons today for part of International Week!
S, 🇶🇦