Guardians of the Sky: Falconry Traditions in Pakistan

A man in traditional Pakistani dress and a cap is holding a large vulture by its wings. The vulture has a white head and brown body. Its wings are spread wide. An owl sits on a small wooden stool in the background. The man appears to be showing off the vulture's wingspan. The environment appears to be a courtyard or outdoor area with a green wall in the background.

In Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan, an outdoor scene depicts a man holding a golden eagle. The man, with a dark beard and mustache, wears a light-colored shalwar kameez, a dark plaid waistcoat, and a patterned cap. Tattoos are visible on his left hand. He holds the large, dark brown and golden-feathered eagle on his gloved left forearm. The eagle's legs are fitted with jesses, connected to a pink line held by the man. His right hand is gently placed near the eagle's beak. The background features light brown, mud-built structures and piles of earth, suggesting an arid, rural environment. A utility pole with power lines is visible in the mid-ground. A second individual, partially visible on the far right, walks away from the main subjects. The sky is partly cloudy.

An outdoor scene in Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan, depicts a male individual holding a raptor. The man, with a dark beard and mustache, wears a light-colored shalwar kameez, a dark grey plaid waistcoat, and an embroidered cap. He supports a large, dark brown raptor, consistent with a Golden Eagle, on his gloved left forearm. The raptor's head is covered by a tan leather hood, and pink jesses are visible attached to its leg. The man's right hand is slightly raised, revealing a tattoo on his forearm. In the background, overhead power lines span across the frame, and a metal electricity transmission tower is visible on the left horizon. Low-rise, weathered structures constructed from earthen materials are present in the immediate background. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue. A partial view of another person's arm is visible on the far right.

An eagle, fitted with a dark leather falconry hood with an orange-brown top strap and black lacing, is perched on the seat of a Honda motorcycle in Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan. The bird, primarily dark brown with scattered white feather markings, is facing the viewer directly. The motorcycle seat is covered by a multi-colored, striped fabric secured with a pink cord, and a portion of the handlebars is visible. The background consists of a light brown, textured wall. To the left, a red metal door with vertical slats is partially visible. To the right, two large, orange-brown woven sacks are stacked on the ground. The ground appears to be a light grey concrete or paved surface.

A close-up shot presents a golden eagle perched indoors. The eagle is fitted with a leather hood, primarily black, detailed with tan edges, a small top loop, and thin, dark cords hanging down. Its plumage is a mix of brown and golden feathers with some white accents, particularly on its wings. The bird turns its head slowly, revealing a sharp, yellow beak and intelligent eyes. The background is somewhat cluttered, suggesting an outdoor living space. A partly visible building with a red door and white trim is visible in the background.

A close-up, eye-level photograph captures a large brown raptor, likely an eagle, wearing a leather hood. The hood is predominantly dark brown with tan-colored circular eye covers and features a braided light brown leather handle on its apex. Dark leather straps extend downwards from the hood. The raptor's plumage displays various shades of brown, with lighter golden-brown feathers visible on its head and neck, and a cluster of white downy feathers on its right side. Its dark, hooked beak is visible beneath the hood. The background reveals a simple, light brown wall. Above, a rustic ceiling structure is visible, constructed from horizontal wooden beams and reeds. The ground surface appears to be concrete or compacted earth. In the blurrier background, objects include a woven basket or cage, a bundle of thin wooden poles leaning against the wall, and a clear plastic bag containing white items on the ground. This scene is situated in the city of Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan.

An owl with prominent ear tufts and bright orange-yellow eyes stands upright on a weathered grey perch in Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan. The owl's body is covered in mottled brown, black, and beige plumage, with darker streaking on its chest. Its beak is slightly open, revealing a dark interior. White fabric jesses with blue stitching are attached to its talons, which are resting on the perch. The background consists of a plain dark teal-green fabric.

A man in a light-colored outfit, a gray vest, and a cap is holding a large bird. He initially appears to be near a pile of sticks or branches. As the man moves, more people come into view, and they appear to be taking photos or watching him. The setting appears to be a rural area with simple buildings. The man continues to walk toward a small crowd of people. The ground appears to be dry and somewhat barren.

The scene, set in Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan, features a man and two large birds within an enclosed area with a light green fabric wall in the background and a concrete floor. A man with a dark beard and mustache, wearing a patterned skullcap, a light-colored shalwar kameez, and a dark plaid waistcoat, crouches in the foreground. He is actively attending to a large brown bird lying on the ground, holding its wing with his right hand, which bears a dark tattoo. This bird exhibits a pale, featherless head and neck, consistent with a vulture species. To the left of the frame, a large Eurasian Eagle-Owl, characterized by its prominent ear tufts and orange eyes, is perched on a small, rustic wooden stand, secured by a white tether around its legs. A brown sack is partially visible in the upper right background. The man's gaze is directed downwards towards the bird he is handling, while the owl observes the area to its right.

An adult male stands centrally in what appears to be an indoor or semi-enclosed, rustic setting in Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan, positioned before a taut green fabric backdrop. He possesses a dark beard and mustache, wears a light-colored shalwar kameez, a checkered waistcoat, and a traditional cap. On his gloved left hand, he supports a large brown and white bird of prey (likely an eagle or similar raptor) which appears to be consuming a piece of white meat from his hand. In his right hand, he holds a small, dark object, possibly a falconry lure, and a dead, light-colored rodent or small bird by its tail. To his immediate left, a medium-sized brown owl with prominent ear tufts perches on a low, crude wooden stool. Another large, brown bird of prey is partially visible on a perch to the man's right. In the foreground on the right, the hands of a second individual, wearing a blue garment, are visible holding a silver smartphone vertically, actively photographing the central subject and the animals. Overhead, exposed wooden beams and a small, white box attached to a string are visible against an earthen-colored wall. The floor is light-colored concrete or packed earth.

An adult male is depicted holding a large brown eagle on his gloved left arm in Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan. The man, with a dark beard and mustache, wears a cream-colored shalwar kameez, a plaid waistcoat, and a small, embroidered cap. His left hand is covered by a thick, dark leather falconry glove, which the eagle grips with its yellow talons. Pink braided jesses are visible around the eagle's legs and the glove. The eagle, featuring brown plumage with lighter feather edges, has its yellow beak partially open and its right eye focused forward. The man's mouth is slightly open, and he looks upwards and to his right. In his right hand, he holds a small, rounded brown leather object with black straps, possibly falconry equipment, to which a blue pen is clipped. The background consists of a plain green fabric or tarp, with an irregular brown structure and a thin white string visible at the top. Part of a second bird is faintly visible at the bottom left.

An adult male stands in a frontal shot, holding a large golden eagle on his gloved left forearm. The man has a beard and mustache, wears a light-colored shalwar kameez, a patterned grey waistcoat with a blue pen clipped to the pocket, and a patterned skullcap. His expression is neutral. The eagle, dark brown with golden-brown feathers on its head and neck, is perched on a dark leather falconry glove, secured by pink jesses attached to its talons. The eagle's beak is slightly agape. In the man's right hand, he holds a brown leather falconry hood. A portion of a second large bird is visible on the far right. The background consists of a plain, solid green surface. The location of the scene is Qilla Saifullah, Pakistan.