Mongolian forgotten culture falconry

Tradition of falconry in Mongolia

Mongolia is unique in its falconry which is combining of heritage, history, nomadic life style, man’s working relationship with horses and large birds of prey. It originated in Central Asia especially in the heart of Mongolia, about four-thousand years ago. However, little detail is known about the falconry origin and there has been no serious scientific research. However, it is considered possibly the oldest form of falconry. Usually Mongolian falconers use large-sized raptors on horseback (the modern day replacement of which is by 4x4 vehicle) which merging into nomadic lifestyle. There is historical evidence showing that Mongolians used large sized Palearctic falcons such as Gyrfalcon, Saker and Peregrine falcons, also Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagles in their falconry. Over time Falconry in Mongolia has divided into two major divisions. Firstly, Altai Falconry. Which is practiced by the Western Mongolians and they hunt medium sized mammals, such as the Red Fox and wolves with Golden Eagle, hunting hare with Northern Goshawk. Secondly, the falconers of Central Mongolia hunt small to medium-sized game bird species, Daurian Partridge, Great Bustard, Houbara Bustard, Black Grouse and Waterfowls with large Palearctic falcons. When falconry was inscribed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a living human heritage in 2010 by UNESCO, there are several nations listed as representatives including Mongolia. This event was an unbelievable one for us, and the main reason why we keeping our tradition as well as.

From the painting "Khubilai khan's hunting".

Famous Chinese artist Li Guando painted in 1279.

The 182.9 x 104.1 cm silkscreen painting was painted and is now kept in the Central Taiwan Museum.

Character of falconry in Mongolia

There are several reasons making the falconry of Mongolia different as to how it is practiced elsewhere by others, these are geographical, historical, falconry furniture. Most falconry nations have differences and their own features such as Gulf falconry, European falconry, East Asian falconry, Central Asia. There are several factors which contribute to making these cultures different. Geographical scope, different raptors and prey, different falconry equipment. Falconry has been developing along its own path in Mongolia and this is directly influenced by nomadic lifestyle, traditional hunting style, geography, specific falconry furniture of Mongolia

Picture 1. Dressed as traditionally Japanese falconer Mr Keiya Nakajima with his Goshawk.

Picture 2. North American master falconer Mark Williams on his succesful sharptail hunting with gyrfalcon

Picture 3. Arabian hard-core falconer His Highness Sheikh Sayeed Bin Juma Al Maktoum.

Picture 4. Mongolian young falconer Aimolder Dayenbek with her well trained saker falcon on the public event.

Mongolian history and falconry

Falconry is one of the oldest forms of hunting in Mongolia, it certainly originated from the nomads of the Central Asian Steppe, and has been a very popular sport for ancient Mongolians especially so with the royal families. There are several examples of historical evidence showing that a Falcon (white morph of Gyrfalcon) is a totem of Mongolian royal family.

There are some interesting anecdotes relating to Butanchar, one of the ancestors of Gengis khan. It is said he was an active falconer and when attacked by his enemies he was forced to flee to remote country where he was surrounded by bushes, forests, lakes and rivers. He managed to survive the harsh winter because of his knowledge as a hunter. Once, he had been seen with a falcon, hunting Black grouse after he had trapped the falcon by using nooses made from the tail hairs of his horse. The falcon was then trained and used to hunt wild prey. After this time Mongolians respect the falcon as a prophet of God and help Butanchar. Probably

the falcon was a major totem of Mongolia history because Atilla’s golden shield has found, featuring a design with a falcon on the front.

Unfortunately, little is known about the falconry of Gengis khaan. Some political leaders and kings gave nine white falcons to the Gengis khaan to further diplomatic relationships and as personal gifts. In the middle ages Mongolian kings had taken hunting falcons from Siberia. Another known anecdote is regarding the falconry activities of King Khubilai. He was one of the great rulers in the world and also well known as a falconer in world history. The famous Italian traveler and writer Marco Polo wrote about his falconry activities in his book which is Marvels of the World – Livre de Mervelles du Monde. Khubilai khan supposedly spent March of each year with 10,000 falcons hunting in Eastern Mongolia. He has diverse hunter using species such as gyrfalcon and saker falcon for hunting of waterfowls, bustard, grouse, partridge, golden eagle for hunting of gazelle and fox, cheetah and lion hunting for hunting roe-deer, red deer. Khubilai king has over 5000 trained falcons which are each banded by a silver ring with specific code, equivalent to modern bird rings. There several important historical references about the falconry of Mongolia in the middle ages and Khubilai Khaan hunting. One in National Palace Museum In Taiwan, Liu Kuan-tao, is dated 1280 is one of the best example seen to emonstrate and feature the traditional falconry hunting style. The painting shows a hunting scene of Khubilai, he is depicted on a white horse and with a white Gyrfalcon. Also, he is depicted with an interesting blue falconry bag on which a white Gyrfalcon stooping at a swan has been depicted. One rider is shown holding a dark falcon which is very likely to be an Altai falcon because size and colour. A Cheetah is one of the animals used for hunting during this period, and one is shown sitting behind the rider. Cheetahs were widely used by the Mongolians for hunting gazelle. Marco Polo, In Marvels of the World, wrote that professional trappers of King Khubilai were sent to the palearctic Islands in search of Gyrfalcons.

Geographical feature of Falconry in Mongolia Mongolia is vast landlocked country and encompasses a hugely diverse range of habitats, which has resulted (as previously stated) into the style of Mongolian falconry dividing into the two regional divisions Western Mongolia and Central Mongolia. The two differing forms of Mongolia falconry have evolved due to geographical features and raptors and quarry available. Accordingly, in the Western Altai region of Mongolia falconers have been training juvenile Golden Eagle to hunt for Red Fox, Grey Wolf, Rabbit. The other form of falconry still practiced in Central Mongolia is to train large-sized Palearctic falcons for game species of birds such as grouse, partridge, bustards, waterfowl. Moreover, there are ten game bird species found in Mongolia, but quarry is directly dependent on geographical features, such as Ptarmigans found in high Alpine slope which can offer limited hunting opportunity. Altai Snowcock is the main game bird in Mongolia, especially popular for use in oriental medicine, but normally found at over 3000 m high in the snow covered mountains. The best game species in Mongolia are the Great Bustard and Daurian Partridge as well as the Black Grouse. They found in rather open grassland, low vegetated mountain slope, near river valleys and cultivated areas and so offer more opportunity for hunting with trained raptors. Seasonal conditions are also important and have an impact on falconry. Spring and Autumn are the hunting season in this region. Generally, the hunting seasons are between September and November and then again from February to early May. Relevant duration is dictated by weather conditions as well as the breeding and moulting season of the raptors, migratory and breeding season of game species. Marco Polo wrote about hunting season of Mongolians in Wonders of the World book. And it it is here we learn that Khubilai king spent March of each year with 10,000 falconers and bird trappers of Khanbalik (Beijing) hunting small game on the extensive plains.

Falconry furniture of Mongolia

Mongolian falconry furniture is reflective of the nomadic life style from which it comes. Falconers in Mongolia widely use original leather materials for all kind of falconry furniture such as hood and its braces, jesses, leash, glove etc. Who is the Mongolian falconer? He is hunting with trained raptor and always does so from horseback. It makes travelling through the vast steppe and rough terrain much easier and means chasing flights at quarry are direct no matter what the terrain. Therefore, falconers use right-handed glove due to all the time spent on horseback and the hunter grasps the horse’s reins in his left hand. There is much historical evidence showing Mongolian hunters using the right hand, such as painting of Khubilai Khan hunting 1280s. All of the hunters are depicted using right handed gloves. In Western Mongolia eagle hunters still use right handed gloves on horseback. Our form of falconry is unique in that they extensively use right handed glove because of the fact they hunt from horseback. This makes it different from any other type of falconry in Asia or Europe and for this reason it is regarded as a form of intangible cultural heritage.

Even though there is so little historical record relating to antique hoods, archeological researchers have found a few records of falconry hoods relative to the middle ages of the Mongolian Empire. Falconry hoods of Mongolia was very simplistic in their design because this form of hunting originated in central Asia especially in Ancient Mongolian dynasties. We have been finding some proof documenting the falconry hood of Mongolia for a long time. The result is that the Mongolian falconry hood is found only in Mongolia. Unfortunately, this hood was sold at an auction sale in the UK and lost to those who seek to preserve the Falconry history and heritage of Mongolia. Generally designed as an Arab hood but made by thinner eather, and the top of hood decorated with erect horse hair, all braces are made of leather. The afore mentioned hunting painting of Khubilai Khaan, which served to provide important information regarding the falconry furniture of Mongolia. For example, one mounted hunter on a white horse is depicted handling a white falcon which is wearing a red hood similar design to modern Dutch hood. So red-black combination is classic for Mongolians because king Khubilai has had this combination for his white Gyrfalcon.

Another depiction the painting is the falconry bag with Gyrfalcon attacking to Swan on a blue background. Nowadays most falconers use a falconry bag, because several pieces of equipment, food, lures, all need to be carried as well as carrying any taken prey after a successful hunt. In the paining of Khubilai Khan hunting showing the interesting falconry bag with the design of the hunting scene on the blue background. No doubt the gyrfalcon attacking to swan, as depicted on the falconry bag in the painting referred to, is the main symbol of royal family of the Mongolian empire. In the Taiwan National Museum, they have a golden ring of Khubilai king, on which the symbol is designed on front of golden ring. Both forms of falconry are included in subject of the Falconry of Mongolia. The general type of falconry of Mongolia is described as hunter on horseback and handling large falcons in the right hand, with grouse being the main prey. This makes it different from any other type of falconry. But more likely to be shown is the falconry style of the Gulf, because they hunt on horse for any animal and mainly prey grouse or bustard.

Altai Falcon, behavior and hunting technique

Its taxonomy is poorly studied sometimes considered subspecies of Saker Falcon or a naturally occurring hybrid between Gyrfalcon and Saker Falcon. However, hybridization among falcon species is rare in nature, but there some existing occurrence. Its morphology combines Northern Gyrfalcon and Saker Falcon but more like a Gyrfalcon in that it has a long-heavy bill, large talons, neatly marked wing pattern, uniform chest pattern. However single morphology cannot prove it is independent species from Saker/Gyrfalcon which are completely dark-brown or grey-brown plumage, bluish tinged bare parts, head and bill more attenuated appearance, more barred trousers, underparts are regularly barred dark almost complete dark on juvenile individuals, wing patterns are more uniform compared with Dark morph Saker Falcon.

In my experience I consider that the Altai Falcon is certainly different from Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug milvipes) and Northern Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). The Altai falcon breeding range is relatively limited through Central Asia to the Altai mountain range and Sayan Mountains. These areas overlap the breeding areas of the Saker Falcon and fall within the migration range of Gyrfalcon. These two species of falcons Altai and Saker have the same choice of habitat, both prefer the open ground where Brandt’s vole, small passerines are to be found. Recently we have been working on the genetic study of Altai Falcons based on DNA information in Mongolia. I am hopeful that important results will be discovered after this has done because it is first DNA study on Altai Falcon. I would like to explain the hunting technique and big advantage of Altai Falcon compared with Saker Falcon based on my own falconry experience. First, Altai dark Falcon behaves aggressively, appear to have superior intelligence, are brave and use aerial high-speed pursuit more than is normally the case with Sakers. Freshly trapped Altai Falcons sometimes feed very quickly on the fist, tend to be less “hissing” and much easier to train. When training with the lure the Altai directly flies and does not hesitate in attack like the Saker. I have been flying a wild female Altai Falcon since last year. I named to her as Alpha-1, she was quick to learn everything, and hunts some kinds of grouse species, Partridge and Black Grouse.

In 2018, Altai falcon (Falco cherrug altaicus) pursuing the game, trainer Jorj photos by ©Purevtogtokh Khambin

I failed on partridge hunting before using a Saker Falcon, because Sakers catch small prey and after are likely to carry. The Altai is naturally a pursuit falcon and this behavior makes it suitable in the type of falconry employed in Mongolia. Flight technique is very fast and direct when attacking to its prey. Most hunting is carried in open steppe areas, but wide variety of techniques are used to capture prey.

Training Altai Falcon weight control, fitness

Training methods depend on a different form falconry, but they follow the generally accepted way. First of all the method depends if the bird is an imprint or wild trapped. All falconers use wild falcons in In Mongolia, because the practice is conducive in continental weather condition and high mountainous region. I would prefer to fly immature falcons, especially in the second calendar year which is a perfect hunter and is easy to teach. Basic method of training on the wild falcon is to make the relationship between falcon and falconer. Of course, making direct communication with a wild falcon is not easy and can be complicated, this is because all raptors are principally solitarily and territorial animals. A fresh trapped falcon from the wild will need to handled cautiously and carefully. A falcon taken from wild, if it learns any negative behavior is then complicated to train in the future. For example, the falcon not coming to sit on a gloved fist with meat, should not be depending purely on weight control.

In 2018, Well trained and fit Altai falcon (Falco cherrug altaicus) perching on the rock, trained by Jorj

photos by ©Purevtogtokh Khambin

The initial stage of taming the falcon is always going to be difficult because the freshly trapped falcon behaves aggressively and hisses a very great deal. The manning process is to introduce the falcon to the artificial environment it is now placed in and to overcome its fear of man. My own practice is to approach the training slowly and steadily taking great care over introducing the falcon to its new environment. I learnt that from Arabic falconers. They spend more time in handling the falcon, introducing human environment, with the falconer always taking care. The falcon will man down in a surprisingly short time, overcoming its fear of man.

After successful feeding on the fist unhooded or through the real taming begins. The food response system of training is not changed with the falcon, and the falconer reinforces this each time the falcon is on the fist. There are several simple actions that help positive reinforcement, such as slowly stroking the chest of falcon with a top to bottom movement and also frequently taking the hood on and off. Some exceptional falcons will feed on the fist the first day they are trapped. Generally, an Altai Falcon does not feed until two or three days after trapping. The falconer should use a specific whistle or vocalization before feeding falcon because it helps towards building up a ‘conditioned response’. So daily management of hooding is important at this stage as most flights will be out of the hood. This kind of behavioral conditioning applies to most raptors such as falcons, eagles, hawks. After successful feeding on the fist unhooded or through the real taming begins. The food response system of training is not changed with the falcon, and the falconer reinforces this each time the falcon is on the fist. There are several simple actions that help positive reinforcement, such as slowly stroking the chest of falcon with a top to bottom movement and also frequently taking the hood on and off. Some exceptional falcons will feed on the fist the first day they are trapped. Generally, an Altai Falcon does not feed until two or three days after trapping. The falconer should use a specific whistle or vocalization before feeding falcon because it helps towards building up a ‘conditioned response’. So daily management of hooding is important at this stage as most flights will be out of the hood. This kind of behavioral conditioning applies to most raptors such as falcons, eagles, hawks. Second stage of training is with an artificial lure, which is probably one of the most important steps in training the falcon. Feeding on an artificial lure is the most effective method. For example, when you are unsuccessful in hunting on ducks or large grouse then there is a good chance the falcon will fly away. If the falcon is well trained to the lure, we can counteract the negative situation by means of the artificial lure. I prefer to use the lure each time when training, feeding and hunting. What kind of bird do you want to hunt? The lure should be designed to represent targeted prey. For example, our main prey is Daurian Partridge and Black Grouse thus their wings are attached to the lure. Training with the lure is the key to the management of Partridge hunting with Altai Falcon. Because in this form of hunting there is a considerable risk of loss. However, a falcon highly trained to the lure before it starts hunting on partridge would be less likely to be lost if it misses its prey. Falcons hunt Daurian Partridge successfully but the prey is light and very easily carried by the falcon. Should for any reason the Altai Falcon leave the freshly killed quarry and fly away from the falconer she can be recalled to the lure

In my falconry experience shown that require stage of process

The falcon must be feeding on the leather lure, which means the introduction of the lure give a piece of meat on it. Once or twice feeding per day but always feeding on lure. The Lure should be of a regular design, made of leather with partridge wings attached. First five successful hunts on wild quarry do not give feed the entire meal, just give several pieces of meat after slowly covering the quarry with the hunting bag or ungloved hand and remove it behind your back. After hunting give the rest of the day’s food on the lure. The process will prove to the falcon that you are its hunting partner.

By using this method, the falconer is able to hunt with the falcon successfully. The important issue is choosing the right time when to fly a falcon. For most falconers on Mongolia the choice is to fly early mornings and before sun is fully risen, because that is when all wild raptors start to become active. Free flight is important stage of training. In my experience free flight is more difficult step than real hunting in field. Because Wild birds naturally know how to hunt, it is not necessary to try and teach hunting to them. When testing pre free flight the first time a creance is required. After the falcon learns to take the artificial lure, representing the species it is intended to hunt, then it is time to move on and try the falcon at wild game.

Weight Control

Usually I fly large-sized female Saker/Altai falcons with a weight of between 1100-1300 gr, and a size of over 45 cm between shoulder to tail tip. Sometimes I need to use hard weight control, but this very much depends on each individual and also sex. Usually a falcon will fly at a considerably heavier weights than males. Mongolia has harsh weather conditions during hunting season, so any weight reduction needs to be a slow process. We use always wild taken falcons for our falconry and they require a really good diet. We use horse meat during winter which is supplies the required energy during these harsh times. Normally I feed a mixture of chicken, quail, pheasant and domestic pigeon meat during hunting season. I prefer to use the 24 hours weight control system before we go hunting in field. I am trying not to reduce weight of the falcon quickly, because large-sized wild falcon like Altai are vulnerable to health risks due to their weakened state.

Food

Food is directly relative with training, I consider choosing the right food will contribute as much as 50% towards successfully training the falcon. Of course, the best food for a falcon is natural food which is its primary prey species. In the case Altai falcon’s one of the primary prey species are Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Daurian Partridge, Rock Pigeon, Quail and if available Rabbit.

Peregrine falcon training by Jorj in 2018

photos by ©Purevtogtokh Khambin