Record Falcon Sale
Rare White Falcon Sets Record With Million-Dirham Sale at Abu Dhabi Exhibition
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Key Points
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The falcon weighed approximately 1 kilogram and measured about 16.5 inches in both length and width.
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Another rare gyrfalcon from the same U.S. breeding farm sold for AED 1.1 million the following day, bringing the two birds’ combined sales to about $708,000.
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Young Sheikha Sheikha reportedly placed the winning bid for the Qarmousha Pure Ultra White and later received the bird on stage.
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Reports cautioned that social-media claims that a young enthusiast’s uncle bought the million-dirham falcon were not established by the video, which only showed her discussing her interest in birds and falconry.
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The 23rd edition of ADIHEX featured 55 prominent falcon-breeding and care farms from the UAE and other countries.
A rare white gyrfalcon bred in the United States sold for a record-breaking price at Abu Dhabi's premier falconry auction in 2026. Travel's Dubai reported the bird, a Gyr Pure Ultra White, fetched AED 2.1 million (approximately $571,000), making it the highest price ever paid for a falcon at auction. The sale at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition highlights the Gulf region's deep connection to falconry and the intense global demand for birds with exceptional breeding lines and striking white plumage.
The falcon weighed roughly 1 kilogram and measured about 16.5 inches in length and width. Another rare gyrfalcon from the same U.S. breeding farm sold the next day for AED 1.1 million, bringing the combined value of the two birds to approximately $708,000 and underscoring the extraordinary premiums collectors will pay for birds from elite breeding operations.
Record Sale Reflects Falconry's Prestige in the Emirates
The 23rd edition of ADIHEX drew 55 prominent falcon-breeding and care farms from across the UAE and beyond. Qazinform noted that the Gyr Pure Ultra White's sale price surpassed all previous auction records for falcons worldwide. Young Sheikha Sheikha reportedly placed the winning bid and received the bird on stage, cementing her position among elite collectors in a sport deeply woven into Emirati heritage and identity.
White Plumage and Breeding Lineage Drive Global Demand
The falcon's exceptional rarity stems from its pure white plumage, an extremely uncommon trait in gyrfalcons. Breeders and collectors from across the globe prize birds with this coloration alongside proven hunting ability and prestigious bloodlines. The bird's American origins added to its appeal—U.S. breeding farms have gained renown for producing some of the world's finest falcons. The combination of these factors created intense bidding that pushed the final price far above typical auction results.
Falconry Remains Central to Gulf Heritage and Culture
Falconry holds a sacred place in Emirati tradition, passed down through generations as both a sport and a cultural symbol. Major exhibitions like ADIHEX draw international breeders, collectors, and enthusiasts who treat falcon auctions with the seriousness normally reserved for fine art or rare antiquities. The record sale demonstrates how falconry continues to evolve as a global pursuit while remaining anchored in the values and practices of the Arabian Gulf.
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