How falconry enthusiasts celebrate World Falconry Day
In November 2010, UNESCO recognised falconry as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and an important part of human history.
Since then, on the same day every year – November 16 – falconry enthusiasts from around the world have gathered to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of falconry.
At Urban Hawks, we’re proud to celebrate World Falconry Day 2024 and endeavour to recognise the art’s heritage, vital conservation efforts it supports, and the falconry community.
Here, we’ll provide insights into the significance of this day throughout history and the various celebrations that are scheduled to take place.
What is World Falconry Day?
World Falconry Day was established by the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) after falconry was formally recognised by UNESCO in 2010.
The day honours and celebrates the tradition of falconry, its contributions to conservation, and its cultural heritage.
Falconry is a unique art and an important part of human history that should be valued and developed over time.
As such, this day serves as a platform for falconers around the world to showcase their skills, educate the public, and promote a positive image of falconry by raising awareness about the importance of preserving birds of prey and their habitats.
What happens on World Falconry Day?
This important day is marked by a number of events and activities encouraged and supported by the IAF.
Whether it’s online using social media platforms or in person, there are several ways enthusiasts celebrate the
day, such as:
Workshops and educational demonstrations
Falconry businesses, clubs, and organisations often host workshops and live demonstrations to help educate the public.
These events allow enthusiasts to get up close and personal with these incredible birds and their trainers to learn more about the history, techniques, and care that goes into falconry.
Online engagement
Social media is one of the most effective platforms for spreading the word about World Falconry Day.
The IAF encourages enthusiasts to connect with a local and global audience by sharing photos, live streams, videos, and infographics on various social platforms using hashtags such as #WorldFalconryDay, #WFD2024, and #IAFWFD.
Displays
One of the fan favourite activities held on World Falconry Day is flying displays.
Experienced falconers will participate in events that allow them to showcase their birds’ natural hunting skills, recall, and bond with them.
These events allow the public to witness these magnificent raptors in a safe and controlled setting, with a professional ensuring the falcon’s welfare.
Conservation events
Falconry plays an integral role in wildlife conservation worldwide, so it only makes sense that many bird conservation organisations get involved in marking the day.
This can often include hosting digital and in-person fundraising events and holding educational talks on the importance of protecting birds.
These organisations also highlight the importance of this day on their social media to help spread the word and raise awareness of the importance of protecting birds of prey.
The history of falconry
Falconry has a rich history that dates back thousands of years.
Its origins are debated, but generally, evidence suggests that it dates all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia in 2000 BC, where it was used as a means of hunting and a status symbol among the nobility.
These birds were revered, and in fact, people caught with birds of prey outside their social standing could be punished by having their hands cut off.
The practice spread throughout Asia and Europe, particularly within the Mongol Empire and by Medieval European Aristocracy in 400AD.
As falconry became a global art, each culture developed its own techniques and traditions within the practice, which are still seen in different parts of the world today.
Although it’s not something the average person would hear about today, falconry has become a deeply ingrained part of society and culture in many countries.
In medieval Europe, falconry became a sport for kings and noblemen that developed into a symbol of power.
King Henry VIII was known to be an avid falconer and had his own Gyrfalcon, which was noted for being a symbol of prestige and status.
In the Middle East, falconry was both a means of hunting and an important cultural tradition passed down through generations.
Today, professional falconers make the most of the natural relationship raptors have with their prey to control pest birds and animals in urban areas such as commercial buildings, stadiums, shopping centres and other spaces birds are attracted to.
What does the future hold for falconry?
So, what does the future of falconry look like?
As we look to the future and the ever-evolving technologies that define the modern age, we know that there are many new challenges and opportunities we will have to embrace.
New technologies have the potential to improve how falconers train their birds, from GPS tracking to monitor flight paths and drones to assisting in pest control. Every day, there are new tools that many falconers may wish to consider implementing.
In terms of conservation and the part falconry plays, we believe that it’s important for everyone in the community to remain committed to this endeavour as we continue to face global environmental challenges.
Finally, as we look to the future, it is crucial that we continue to preserve, celebrate and protect the culture of falconry and its history.
By teaching new generations and involving the public, we can help keep this important tradition alive with events like World Falconry Day.
Celebrating World Falconry Day 2024
At Urban Hawks, we’re proud to be part of the fantastic falconry community in the UK and worldwide.
World Falconry Day offers our team the perfect opportunity to honour this ancient tradition, look to the future of falconry, and share our passion with the public.
We look forward to celebrating World Falconry Day 2024!
If you are located in the North West and would like to learn more about our falcon pest control services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today on 0151 345 6854 or email us at info@urbanhawks.co.uk.