The eagle has landed! Kazakh falconer shows off his bird's impressive wingspan during festival of traditional sports

By Jessica Satherley


Once the sport of kings, falconry is one of the oldest games known to man – dating back to around 2000BC.

So the art took centre stage during a festival of traditional sports in the East Kazakhstan city of Ust-Kamenogorsk yesterday.

Golden Eagles have been used in falconry since the Middle Ages and this bird shows off his massive wingspan in full glory.


The sport of kings: A Kazakh falconer holds his golden eagle during a festival of traditional sports in the East Kazakhstan's city of Ust-Kamenogorsk


The bird landed on the arm of a Kazakh falconer, who was dressed in traditional attire for the event.

The sport is thought to have begun in Mongolia, which borders Kazakhstan, while other evidence suggests falconry might have originated in China.

Falconry is a method of hunting in which birds of prey are trained to catch their victim for their human handler.


source:dailymail