In the heart of Qatar’s bustling capital lies a world where feathers meet fascination — the Falcon Souq, nestled within the historic Souq Waqif. More than a marketplace, this is where tradition breathes, echoing the bond between Qatari culture and falcons, birds revered not only for their beauty and speed but for the legacy they represent.
Falcon, the national bird of Qatar, has historical roots all around the Middle East. A falcon is profound among us for its speed, accuracy, and sharp vision for its hunt. However, falconry is a 5000-year-old traditional game played in Qatar. Looking at the people’s provision of interest in falconry, UNESCO has recognized falconry as the human heritage and added it to the list of cultural heritage of human list in the Middle East.
So, if you are building interest in falconry, here we have everything you need to know about falconry in Qatar. So let’s have a deep insight into it.
Falcon – Qatar’s National Bird
Falcon – the fastest bird and animal in the world, with 300 km/hr. A falcon’s eyesight is eight times sharper than the human eye. With these catchy eyes and quick speed, a falcon never lets its prey run away. It can identify its prey from far away and never let it disappear from its vision.
Apart from speed and eyesight, a falcon has shown enduring patience and resilience, which is the main reason mothers of Qatar often tell the stories of a falcon’s composure and fortitude to their children.
Another fact about falcons you need to know is that they are the deadliest hunters in the world, with a specialty in desert hunting. Among the broad variants of falcons, you will find the peregrine falcons and saker falcons, the most expensive ones in Qatar to buy.
History of Falconry
It is narrated that 5000 years ago, falconry was introduced in the Arab world and the Middle East. People used falconry as a tool to capture fresh meat. With sharp eyesight and fast speed, falcons never let him escape. Another amazing fact about falconry is that it is also mentioned in the Holy Quran. However, King Persia was the first falconer in the world decades ago. He witnessed a falcon killing its prey and kept it with him for years to study. But what he learned from the falcons is patience and endurance.
Falconry in Qatar
Falconry in Qatar is not just a sport — it’s a lifestyle, a lineage passed down through generations. These birds of prey are symbols of honor, patience, and prestige. Many locals even invest their fortunes in breeding and training, often seeking the expertise of the top ranked travelling agencies in Qatar to organize desert safaris and falconry shows tailored for global visitors.
Bringing up and taking extra care of the falcons brought up a healthy and harmonious relationship between the falcon and its trainer. Falcon is not just a bird but the pride and honor of the people of Qatar. That’s why Qatari people never let their falcons down in any hunting competitions and provide them the best training possible.
Falcon Souq – Doha
Located close to the Souq Waqif, Falcon Souq is the arcade hub of falconry in Qatar. This falcon souq is classified as a falconry with a separate entrance and sitting plan for visitors, buyers, or sellers. With three huge falcon statues at the entrance of this falcon souq, you can imagine what you would get inside the falcon souq. Qatar takes falcon welfare seriously.
The Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital is one of the most advanced in the region, offering check-ups, X-rays, talon clipping, and even falcon passports. It’s an unusual but remarkable stop, easily added to any itinerary focused on the top tourist places to explore in Qatar.
In addition, benches are made for people to sit for rest or stay if they want. However, the sandpit areas are designed to keep the falcons there. If you want to visit the Souq Waqif for some shopping, you can leave your falcon in the sand pit area of the falcon souq. While some sellers are also there to sell out their falcons to the visitors or buyers.
Training & Bonding: A Dance of Discipline
From infancy, falcons are trained with care and immense dedication. The bond between a falconer and his bird is built on mutual trust — hours spent in the open desert, signaling commands, sharing silent understanding.
This centuries-old relationship requires not only time but a deep awareness of local customs. For newcomers, understanding cultural sensitivity is essential, as falconry is deeply tied to identity, faith, and national pride. Learn more from our don’ts in Qatar.
Timing: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Location: Al Souq Street, Doha, Qatar
Falconry Facilities in Qatar
If you want to buy falcons in Qatar, Falcon Souq is full of multiple variants of falcons with a varying range of prices. You can easily buy a falcon as well as other accessories a falcon needs from the Falcon Souq.
People in Qatar love to invest and spend their money on falcons. Communication kits, radio devices, and trucks are some of the elite facilities that people in Qatar love to provide their falcons with.
However, for medical checkups and care, there is a Falcon Hospital in Qatar too, which is restricted to taking care of falcons. This falcon hospital can accommodate more than 10,000 falcons at a time. It administers the treatment of special falcon diseases, routine check up and avian vaccines if needed.
Time: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Al Souq Street, Doha, Qatar
Prices of Falcons
Well, the prices of falcons in Qatar range from $2,000 to $20,000. It depends on the breed, shape, size, strength, and other noticeable factors of falcons, which help them to hunt their prey. The most famous variants of falcons in Qatar are the Peregrine Falcon, the Skate Falcon, the Sooty Falcon, the Amur Falcon, the Barbary Falcon, and the Lanner Falcon. Each variant has a different price range.
Falconry Events in Qatar
Meanwhile, some of the most significant competitions and events organized for falconry in Qatar are mentioned below:
- Annual Qatar Falcon Festival
- National Day Championship
- Katara International Hunting and Falcon Exhibition
Every year, Qatar hosts grand exhibitions such as the Katara International Hunting and Falcon Exhibition (S’hail) — an electrifying event showcasing falcon auctions, hunting gear, and training technologies. Held at Katara Cultural Village, it draws enthusiasts, breeders, and royalty from across the region.
Sum Up the Falconry
Summing up the blog with the fact that falconry is not a game but a symbol of pride and patience for the people of Qatar, who love to take care of their falcons as if they were family members. In short, falconry is not a competition in Qatar; it’s a shared emotion by the whole community of Qatar.
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People Also Ask
| How much do falcons cost in Qatar? In Qatar, falcons cost ranges from QAR 100,000 to QAR 400,000 depending on the breed, shape, size and variance of the falcon. |
| What does the falcon represent in Qatar? Falcon represents peace, harmony, and patience to the people of Qatar. It is the symbol of power and agility. |
