Falcons get treated in Qatar's special hospital for birds of prey - in pictures

A look inside a specialised emergency centre for the country's national bird

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  Located in one of Doha's oldest markets, Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital opened in 2008. All photos: Reuters

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  The hospital provides a wide range of services, from surgery to generating IDs and passports for the birds.

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  In the clinic's busiest period, from around September to early March, it receives around 140 to 150 birds per day.

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  Falconers rely on the services provided by the hospital to keep their birds healthy.

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  With many competitions and prizes, falconry today is not solely based on hunting, even though it is still practised.

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  The local hunting season in Qatar starts in November when birds coming from the northern hemisphere seek warmer weather in the Gulf region.

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  Falconry was inscribed in 2021 on Unesco's representative list of the 'intangible cultural heritage of humanity'.

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