Falconry is the ancient art of hunting. It originated in the high plateaus of the Asian steppes about 4000 years ago.
The falconers, who are called Berkuchi there, went hunting on horseback with their eagles, with which they hunted foxes, hares and wolves.
It was certainly not easy to hunt in the vastness of the steppe without guns and the eagle became man’s best helper to get the necessary meat to survive.
The art of falconry was brought to Arabia by the caravans of Persia. There the technique of hunting with falcons was further developed and perfected, and it is still practised today.
Successful and important for falconry was Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. He was ruler of the Germanic Empire, Italy and Jerusalem. He brought the knowledge he gained about falconry on his travels to Arabia to Europe.
He was also a poet, and his scientific sense manifests itself in his book “De Arte Venandi Cum Avibus” (The Art of Hunting with Birds).
An important work for falconry, which still today provides a fundamental knowledge of birds of prey.