Doha: In an unprecedented discovery, a team from the Qatari Falconers Association has identified a pair of falcons nesting on the rooftop of a building in Doha, marking what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind case in Qatar.
President of the association, Ali bin Khatim Al-Mahshadi, said the team was alerted to the unusual sighting and subsequently located the nest despite its position on a high-rise structure.
Monitoring cameras were installed, confirming the presence of the mating pair along with their chicks.
Al-Mahshadi revealed that a specialised team has been formed to study the phenomenon, including tracking the chicks’ movements and analysing their behaviour through tagging, where feasible. He noted that the nesting site, located along the Doha coastline, offers a suitable environment with abundant prey.
He added that such developments reflect broader environmental improvements in Qatar, where increased conservation awareness, reduced overhunting, and wildlife release programmes have encouraged the settlement of various bird species.
Vice President Mohammed bin Abdul Latif Al-Musnad described the event as historically rare, attributing it to favourable conditions including safety and food availability. He highlighted that Qatar has recently witnessed other bird species, such as hoopoes and sandgrouse, establishing themselves in farms and natural habitats.
Secretary Zayed Al-Ali Al-Ma’adid noted that falcons rarely nest in urban settings, emphasising that such behaviour indicates a high level of environmental security and prey availability.
He added that the observed falcons appeared domesticated, suggesting prior human interaction, and revealed that the pair belonged to different genetic lineages, an uncommon occurrence in nature.
To build on this development, Al-Ma’adid proposed the controlled release of smaller falcon species, such as saker and lanner falcons, into suitable environments, supported by secure nesting installations.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to scientific and environmental stewardship, highlighting initiatives such as the Qatar Falcon Genome Project, launched in 2021, which successfully mapped falcon genetics and developed advanced testing to identify species and hybridisation. The project stands as a significant scientific milestone, underscoring Qatar’s progress in wildlife research and conservation.
