International Falcon Breeders Auction draws experts from Kingdom and abroad
The event provides a competitive platform from which falconers can explore the latest breeding and hybridization techniques and exchange expertise with breeders worldwide.
The auction is known to draw eye-watering sums for the best birds, with some fetching upwards of SR375,000 ($100,000).
Last year's auction raised a total of SR10 million after 866 falcons were sold.
Falconer Hamad bin Mislih Al-Qahtani told the Saudi Press Agency that falconry in the Kingdom had made significant strides over the past five years, thanks to direct interaction with international farms participating in the auction.
Such engagement, he said, had exposed local falconers to superior bloodlines and modern methods that enhanced falcons' speed and hunting skills.
Saudi falconer Badr Al-Aradi spoke to the SPA about his peregrine called Salman, reportedly one of the finest specimens produced by a Saudi farm, with an entirely local lineage resulting from the mating of two pure peregrines.
The bird weighs 1,090 grams, measures 17 cm in length and 16.5 cm in width, with a balanced build and exceptional acrobatic capabilities.
Al-Aradi noted that his falcons typically avoid leaving the farm's provided shelters, which had prompted him to develop a tracking device to monitor their movements.
He added: 'I was surprised to find that Salman travels long distances daily. On one occasion he flew 606 km in just eight hours, starting from Turabah, passing through Qassim, then returning to Hail — soaring at altitudes exceeding 3,600 meters.'
He said that Salman's feat occurred at the age of less than three months, demonstrating remarkable endurance and sustaining flight despite high temperatures — an uncommon achievement for a young peregrine.
The event, which runs until Aug. 25, is organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, and is open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Visitors and enthusiasts can follow the proceedings live on television and the official digital platforms of the Saudi Falcons Club.
The event includes pavilions for breeders, an auction yard, supplies stores, and a special corner for the Future Falconer children's area.
There are also a number of interactive presentations by falconers on care and breeding methods.
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