Inside the Gulf's falconry empire: Why these birds are worth more than supercars

TL;DR:

• Falconry in the Gulf has transformed into a multi-million-dollar sport and status symbol, with birds now fetching record prices and racing for vast cash prizes.
  
  
• Investments span breeding, beauty contests, high-tech care, international auctions, and elite racing leagues, all backed by government initiatives and elite sponsorships.
  
  
• For falconers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia , Qatar, and Oman, these majestic birds are more than heritage, they are powerful symbols of wealth, identity, and global prestige.
  
  
  

Falcons: From Hunting Birds to High-Value Assets
Once solely hunting companions in the desert, falcons have taken on new roles in Gulf societies. Today, species like gyrfalcons, peregrines, and saker falcons can command prices comparable to luxury vehicles. In Saudi Arabia, a white gyrfalcon chick sold for SAR 1.75 million (USD 466,667) at the 2021 International Falcon Breeders Auction, the highest ever recorded.

That same auction later offered three gyrfalcons for SAR 122,000 (USD 32,525), with one bird alone fetching over SAR 40,000 (USD 10,664). In Abu Dhabi, a rare American-bred gyrfalcon went for AED 1.01 million (USD 275,000) at a high-profile event .

The willingness to invest in such costly birds underlines falconry’s dual role: it is deeply rooted in heritage and simultaneously a modern marker of wealth and influence.

Prize Money That Rival Sports Festivals
Falcon racing has exploded in popularity, attracting mega prize pools. The 2024 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival in Saudi Arabia offered SAR 36 million (USD 9.6 million),a staggering figure across its 138 competitive rounds. Each “King’s Sword” race round alone offered SAR 925,000.

Meanwhile, the AlUla Falcon Cup broke the Guinness World Record for the highest prize purse in falcon racing, USD 16 million.

This combination of heritage, spectacle, and luxury attracts global attention and wealth spurring tourism and higher-profile coverage across the GCC.

Qatar and UAE: Culture Meets Couture
Falconry remains a prized tradition in Qatar and the UAE. In Qatar, auctions held in Doha have seen birds fetch between USD 4,000 and USD 250,000, demonstrating a market that balances culture and commerce .

The UAE hosts several major events, including the renowned ADIHEX festival in Abu Dhabi. Birds sold there with bids over AED 1.1 million (USD 300,000). With around 5,000 falconers in the UAE, the scene is lively and sophisticated.

These events reflect falconry’s modern form, high-tech, high-value and its ability to attract both locals and international participants.

Behind the Scenes: Breeding, Beauty, and Veterinary Innovation

• Falconry now blends tradition with science. Bloodline is crucial; breeders select species from cold-climate zones like Canada or Russia for white gyrfalcons, prized for their rarity and lineage.

• Specialised hospitals and veterinary clinics, such as the one in Souq Waqif, Doha provide advanced medical care for falcons, underscoring investment in health and prestige.

• Events like ADIHEX include beauty contests: birds are judged on symmetry, plumage, and weight. In Abu Dhabi, a falcon named Eliasat secured top honours for these qualities.

Trophy Falcons and Social Status
A prized falcon can become a status symbol. At ADIHEX, a CEO of a major falconry centre noted that wealthy individuals are buying falcons not just to hunt but to flaunt them as family companions, keeping them alongside pets or luxury cars .

One dramatic display saw a Saudi prince charter a private jet solely for his falcons, complete with customised compartments and passports for the birds.

Even Bentley released a bespoke falconry kit for the Bentayga, complete with falcon hood and GPS, priced at roughly USD 260,000.

The Global Dimension: Falcons Travelled and Traded Internationally
Most prized falcons are bred abroad and flown into the Gulf. Etihad Cargo transports nearly 2,000 falcons annually from European cities like London, Munich, and Barcelona.

Notably, a Canadian “super white” gyrfalcon sold for USD 93,347 in 2021, reflecting high-end global demand.

Falconry in the GCC successively bridges traditional culture with global market forces.

Why These Birds Matter Now
Falconry is more than sport. It merges vision-driven national narratives; heritage preservation, eco-tourism, elite branding—with economic growth and global positioning.

• Heritage & Vision 2030: Saudi invests in cultural identity, eco conservation, and education through heritage events.

• Tourism: Festivals and auctions are becoming attractions that draw falconers and tourists worldwide.

• Luxury positioning: Falcons and their gear (like GPS jesses, custom cars) shape elite narratives alongside high-end vehicles and jewellery.

• Industry growth: Breeding, racing, veterinary care, transport, insurance, all signify a growing falconry economy worth hundreds of millions annually.

From multi-million-dollar auctions to record-breaking prize money and luxury integration, falconry in the Gulf has evolved into a symbol of wealth, culture, and modern heritage. These birds now fly through global markets with ease, representing a unique intersection of tradition and high finance.

FAQs

• Q: How much can a falcon cost?

Record sales go far above USD 450,000, but typical "show-quality" birds sell for USD 100,000–300,000.

• Q: What species command the highest prices?

White gyrfalcons, peregrines, hybrid-shahen, and saker-falcons are the most prized species.

• Q: What do the biggest races offer in prize money?

King Abdulaziz Festival had SAR 36 million (USD 9.6M) in prizes; AlUla Cup exceeded USD 16-Million.

• Q: Are foreign nations involved?

Yes. Breeding farms in Canada, the U.S., Europe supply high-demand birds to Gulf buyers.

• Q: What makes falcons so expensive?

Rarity, pedigree, breeding costs, transport, technology integration, and status value.