Drawer of the Month - Not What You Think

[MartyG]

I made my way to Abu Dhabi in 2014 for a conference, and took a side trip the the Falcon Hospital there. The waiting room was like none you've ever seen!


During the tour of the surgical area, they demonstrated how they tune up the falcons for the hunting season. After a little gas, it was time to examine if every feather was in top shape. If not, they had multiple drawers filled with replacements. Pretty simple procedure using some kind of super glue. A little claw sharpening and we're ready to go.






This guy was not Mr. Happy Bird after all that, but with a look like that his prey would surrender immediately. I know I would!



Marty

 

[chazmo]

Hmmm... A drawer full of falcon feathers. I was definitely not expecting this.

Is falconry something uncommonly popular in Abu Dhabi?

 

[MartyG]

Yes - the UAE is the world center for falconry and it's the national bird.

 

[SFIV1967]

A German Doctor from Munich is running the world's largest falcon hospital there!

Abu Dhabi FALCON HOSPITAL - The finest Emirates | Luxus-Magazin: Lifestyle & Travel

They fly first class, dine on quail, receive the best possible all-round treatment and are passionately venerated. Hunting falcons enjoy the status of family members in the Arab world. If a bird falls sick, the owner does too – with worry. This is a case for Dr. Margit Gabriele Müller, head of...

thefinestemirates.com

And they are really crazy about their falcons!



Ralf

 

[kitniyatran]

First couple of cars I drove regularly were Falcons

 

[chazmo]

First couple of cars I drove regularly were Falcons

Hahaha.... Not sure that's the same thing, Kitniya...

Did you have 3 on the tree?

Did you see what I did there ^^^ ???

 

[kitniyatran]

Haha the '63 did. The later one I believe was automatic.

 

[Midnight Toker]

^ Very cool about the Falconry. If anyone is ever near Charlotte NC, visit the NC Raptor Center. It's a sanctuary for all species of birds of prey. Lots of Falcons. (and eagles, owls, and any other carniverous/omniverous birds in existance) I took some of my best ever bird pictures there!