Learn and educate yourself about the birds of prey that had been an integral part of the desert land in earlier times. These birds were held in high esteem and were richly valued for their hunting instincts. The birds of prey show helps in gaining an insight into the world of these majestic creatures of the sky. The following article explores these birds of prey and their fascination by humans.

Birds of prey have been an integral part of Dubai's way of life and culture before it came to be known as the city of the future. These were the means by which the sheikhs kept track of their desert lands and were a prized possession. These birds were trained hunters, and swooped on their prey with aim and precision. Falconry was a popular sport and is promoted today till date. In history some birds have brought down a deer weighing ten times its own weight. But with the advance of Dubai's reputation as the city of the future, this rich culture of Dubai is threatened out of existence. To promote awareness of this history of the desert lands, efforts are being made. One such effort is the 'Birds of Prey' show.

The audience gets to see these birds in all their magnificent glory, in as natural a habitat as possible. Some have been known to swoop over the heads of the audience; the birds that will grace the crowd with their presence will be hawks, eagle, buzzard, vultures, owls and the ever cunning and watchful falcon. The sheer thrill of the hunt will keep your adrenaline soaring and keep you glued to your seats. Watch these birds grace the sky with timeless ease and elegance. You might even want to feel the soft feathers of these royal beauties in the palm of your hand. And what's more, your wish will be granted! Watch 'Mo', the Harris hawk fly down to get his reward, at his master’s command. 'Julia', the vulture might just decide to entertain you with her playful tricks. Undoubtedly the star of the show is the American bald eagle, who circles over the venue looking over its assembled court with a vigilant air. These birds are natural hunters and mostly use their feet to snag its prey, rather than their beaks. Razor sharp vision, hooked beak, talons packed with strength from curved feet make these majestic birds the ideal predator. Also, these birds can be used to scare away the other less royal and exotic creatures of the bird family. A little known fact is that falcons are used in keeping the 'Burj Al Arab' now the signature building of Dubai, free of bird shit. Falcons circle the building to scare away the birds. An ingenious idea, with very little work required to keep the building clean!

So what are you waiting for, book your seats now. The show is on at Al Khawanieej and can last from 45 minutes to an hour. Special morning shows can be requested. Entertainment as well as an educational tour is part of this event. This would be worth attending only to arm yourself with the know how of these magnificent predators, if only to bore your friends and family to death! Who knows you might be inspired to take up falconry yourself. You could lead to a family event including your kids. These birds have survived in the harsh and unmerciful habitat of the desert lands and continue to survive in today's age with all the grace and dignity of its ancestors.