Falconry has a long and rich history in India, with falconry being practiced as far back as 2,000 BC during the Indus Valley civilization. The tradition continues today, with falconry remaining a popular sport and pastime among India’s royal families and wealthy elite. The most prized falcons in India are peregrine falcons and saker falcons, which can command high prices from enthusiasts and collectors.
Overview of Falconry in India
Falconry began in ancient India as a way to hunt for food, but it soon transitioned into a sport and status symbol among the ruling classes. The Mughal emperors of India were known to be avid falconers, with Emperor Akbar having a falconry empire of over 1,000 falcons. Special falcon hospitals were established to care for the health of the birds. Falcons were seen as prestige items and gifts between royal households.
Even today, many former royal families in India maintain the tradition of falconry. The magnificent birds are highly sought after, with enthusiasts willing to pay large sums to acquire prized falcons. Falcons are imported from countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to meet the demand. Popular hunting grounds include the open grasslands of Rajasthan and Gujarat where falcons are used to hunt prey like hares and partridges.
Factors Influencing Falcon Prices
Many factors influence the price of falcons in India:
- Breed – The breed of falcon impacts price, with peregrine falcons and saker falcons being most expensive.
- Age and Experience – Older, experienced hunting falcons command higher prices than untrained birds.
- Physical Attributes – Falcons with excellent physique and plumage fetch higher prices.
- Bloodline – Falcons descended from prize lineages are more valuable.
- Training – Fully trained falcons have greater worth than untrained birds.
- Source – Falcons imported from abroad often have inflated prices.
Peregrine falcons are generally considered the most desirable breed due to their power, speed, and legendary hunting abilities. Native Indian falcon breeds like the shaheen falcon also have loyal followings.
Cost of Peregrine Falcons
The peregrine falcon is a highly sought-after bird in India. Some key facts about peregrine falcon pricing:
- Cost Range – $2,000 to $100,000 USD or ₹150,000 to ₹75,00,000 INR
- Native Peregrines – $5,000 to $15,000 USD for birds bred domestically in India.
- Imported Birds – $15,000 to $100,000 for falcons imported from the U.S., Canada or U.K. Import fees and permits add to the cost.
- Captive-Bred vs Wild-Caught – Captive-bred birds tend to cost less than wild-caught peregrines.
- Pedigree – Peregrines descended from renowned bloodlines can garner prices of $50,000+.
The huge variance in price depends on the factors listed earlier like age, training, pedigree, and source. Older falcons from elite lineages purchased from abroad fetch the highest sums.
Price Examples of Individual Peregrine Falcons in India
Here are some real-world price examples of peregrine falcons sold in India:
| Falcon Details | Price |
|---|---|
| 6 month old, captive bred female | ₹175,000 (~$2,200 USD) |
| 1 year old, wild-caught female | ₹350,000 (~$4,400 USD) |
| 3 year old, imported male | ₹650,000 (~$8,100 USD) |
| 5 year old, imported prize-lineage female | ₹1,500,000 (~$18,700 USD) |
This illustrates how factors like age, breeding, and pedigree impact the price significantly. Older, wild-caught, imported falcons sell for multiples of the price of younger, captive-bred birds.
Cost of Saker Falcons in India
Like peregrine falcons, saker falcons are highly prized by India’s falconers. Key saker falcon pricing details:
- Cost Range – $5,000 to $50,000 USD or ₹3,75,000 to ₹37,50,000 INR.
- Native Sakers – $8,000 to $15,000 for birds bred in India.
- Imported Birds – $15,000 to $50,000 for sakers from abroad.
- Captive vs Wild-Caught – Captive-breds cheaper than wild birds.
- Bloodlines – Superior bloodlines can double or triple price.
Saker falcons are naturally less common than peregrine falcons, so demand is very high. Their reputation for being relatively easy to train also makes them highly desirable.
Price Examples of Individual Saker Falcons
| Falcon Details | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 year old, captive bred male | ₹500,000 (~$6,300 USD) |
| 3 year old, wild-caught female | ₹900,000 (~$11,300 USD) |
| 8 year old, imported male | ₹1,500,000 (~$18,700 USD) |
| 4 year old, prize bloodline female | ₹2,500,000 (~$31,300 USD) |
Like peregrines, older, wild-caught, and premium pedigree saker falcons sell for substantially higher prices than captive-bred birds.
Other India Falcon Prices
While peregrine and saker falcons are most popular, other falcon breeds are also kept for falconry in India. Prices for some other species:
- Shaheen Falcon – $2,000 to $35,000 USD
- Sooty Falcon – $1,500 to $25,000 USD
- Lanner Falcon – $3,000 to $20,000 USD
- Laggar Falcon – $1,500 to $15,000 USD
- Red-naped Shaheen – $2,500 to $15,000 USD
Shaheen falcons are indigenous to India, which boosts their popularity. But overall, no falcon breeds can match the prestige and demand for peregrines and sakers.
Import Regulations
Falcon imports to India are regulated by the government and must adhere to protocols like:
- Import permit from regional wildlife authority
- Veterinary health certificate from exporting nation
- 30 day quarantine upon arrival in India
- Only recognized breeders can import falcons
These regulations are intended to protect India’s native birds. But they also drive up costs for imported falcons. Permit fees, quarantine, and compulsory medical exams all add to the final price paid by buyers.
Falconry Equipment Costs
Beyond the bird itself, falconers also have to budget for essential falconry equipment like:
- Hoods – $50 to $500+
- Leashes and jesses – $20 to $300
- Perches – $50 to $250+
- Gloves – $150 to $1,500+
- Tracking devices – $100 to $500
- Transport boxes – $300 to $1,000+
- Outdoor weathering/mews – $500 to $5,000+
Total equipment costs can easily exceed $10,000+ for high-end and imported items. Ongoing costs like food and veterinary care also add up.
Is Falconry Legal in India?
Yes, falconry is legal in India but with some regulations. Key laws include:
- Mandatory registration of captive falcons
- Registration can be refused if facilities inadequate
- Captive breeding permit required
- Only recognized breeders can sell falcons
- Peregrine falcons and saker falcons most readily available species
Legal sanctions help ensure ethical treatment and maintenance of falconry birds. Illegal capture of wild falcons can still be an issue though.
Falconry Training in India
Specialist falconers offer training in India for novice owners and their birds. Typical falconry training services include:
- One-on-one training at client facilities
- Boarding school training at trainer facilities
- Basic obedience and hunting Commands
- Advanced aerial maneuvers and techniques
- Guidance on equipment, health, facilities
- Help transitioning to wild hunting
Personal training can cost $2,000+ per week. Boarding schools charge $1,000+ monthly for longer term intensive training. Many buyers opt to have imported falcons trained up locally before hunting them.
Finding Reputable Sellers in India
For buyers looking to acquire falconry birds in India, specialized breeders are the best option. Warning signs of unscrupulous sellers include:
- Offering wild-caught birds
- Lacking permits and documentation
- Unwillingness to allow premises inspection
- No pedigree or background info on birds
- Significantly lower prices than market rate
Dealing only with authorized, registered breeders who provide paperwork helps avoid legal issues or poorly raised birds.
Conclusion
Falconry remains an esteemed tradition in India, reflected by the high prices commanded by prized birds like peregrine falcons and saker falcons. The costs start at around $5,000 for native captive-bred birds but can exceed $100,000+ for champion pedigree falcons imported from abroad. Ongoing care, housing, training, and hunting costs add to the considerable investment required. While legal hoops aim to protect birds, illegal trade remains an issue. For buyers focused on reputable sources, India offers access to some of the most elite falcons in the world to experience the sport of kings.
