The practice of training and domesticating eagles for hunting has become an attraction for hundreds of international tourists. As a result, annual events such as the Eagle Festival and Hunters’ Day are organized, delighting not only visitors but also residents of the capital city. This ancient tradition of taming and training eagles for hunting is now officially recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Since ancient times, the nomadic peoples of Central Asia have trained birds of prey to hunt, both for sport and for subsistence. In modern times, Arab emirs, sheikhs, and royals continue the tradition of training falcons for recreational purposes, while the Kazakh and Kyrgyz people have elevated eagle hunting to the level of national heritage. Among Kazakhs living in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China, eagle hunting remains a widespread and deeply rooted cultural practice. Today, this tradition has evolved beyond hunting and entertainment to become a prominent part of the tourism industry.

Biological Characteristics of the Golden Eagle

Among the diurnal birds of prey in Mongolia, there are 42 species classified under 16 genera, across three families: Accipitridae, Falconidae, and Pandionidae. One of these species is the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), known in Mongolian as the “Tsarmyn bürged.” The Golden Eagle has a wide distribution across Asia, Europe, and North America. In Mongolia, it inhabits mountain ranges, cliffs, forest-steppe, and semi-desert regions from the Mongol Altai to the western fringes of the Khentii Mountains, at elevations of 800 to 3000 meters above sea level.

Golden Eagles reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years of age. In April, they build nests from twigs and branches on tall, inaccessible cliffs and trees where humans and other predators cannot reach. Typically, two eggs are laid, which are incubated for about 45 days. The same nest may be reused for several years, although in some cases, multiple nests are constructed and the most suitable one is chosen for breeding. Chicks remain in the nest until late August, cared for and fed by both parents until they are able to fly.

Their diet includes small mammals such as voles, pikas, marmots, hares, corsacs, and foxes, as well as birds like the Daurian partridge and black-billed capercaillie. Occasionally, they prey on larger animals such as goitered gazelles, Mongolian saiga calves, and even lambs and kids. They are also known to feed on chicks of species like falcons and cranes.

Globally, the estimated population of Golden Eagles is about 5,000–6,000 in Europe, 15,000 in Asia, and around 20,000 in North America. Although no nationwide census has been conducted in Mongolia, the species is considered commonly distributed across the country. They are especially concentrated in rocky, forested areas of the Altai, Khangai, Khuvsgul, and Khentii mountain ranges, where they are mostly sedentary throughout the year. In Bayan-Ölgii Province, it is customary to capture and train female eagles from the wild, which has already begun to raise conservation concerns due to its ecological impact.

The Eagle Hunter Tradition in Mongolia

Across the world, only a few species of birds—such as falcons, goshawks, and eagles—are traditionally used for hunting. Among them, the ethnic Kazakhs of Mongolia are unique in their exclusive use of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) for hunting. This traditional practice, which does not exist in many other countries, represents a distinctive form of intangible cultural heritage. In the 1970s, the Delüün district alone had over 120 practicing eagle hunters, but by 2002, that number had declined to around 30. In recent years, however, the tradition has been revitalized, attracting increasing interest from both domestic and international tourists.

Although interest in raising eagles has grown, there have been difficulties in ensuring a steady food supply for the birds. To support and sustain the tradition, several measures have become necessary: utilizing naturally shed eagle feathers as a source of income, preserving and promoting traditional eagle hunting practices, creating a unified registry of eagle handlers, documenting the number of eagles captured and released each year, recording the species and quantity of wild animals hunted, and assessing the impact on wildlife populations and ecosystems.

In 2002, the “Mongolian Golden Eagle Association” was established in Bayan-Ölgii province and now includes 380 registered members. In collaboration with Japan’s National Archery Association, a 15-year agreement was signed to collect and sell the eagles’ naturally shed feathers, generating an annual income of 8–10 million MNT. Feathers longer than 25 cm are primarily used for stabilizing arrows in traditional archery.

Approximately 80% of eagle hunters are between the ages of 30 and 70. Of these, 170 individuals inherited the tradition from their fathers, 50 from other relatives, and 20 from friends. Around 260 hunters keep 1–6 eagles each, with a few keeping as many as 6–20 or even up to 50. For example, Mr. M. Yesentay of Sagsai has hunted with eagles for 20 years, capturing 110 female eagles in total, 109 of which he has sold or passed on. Mr. A. Bektemir of Tolbo district has captured 50 eagles over the past 55 years and transferred 35 of them to others.

The Hunting Eagle

Female eagles are usually preferred for hunting, as they do not attack fledglings incapable of flight. Eagles that have already gained flying and hunting experience are easier to train, more docile, and tend to attack prey appropriate to their strength. They do not shriek constantly, nor do they pose a threat to livestock when released back into the wild. In contrast, chicks taken from the nest are usually aggressive, cry for food constantly, attack animals beyond their capacity, and may even attack domestic animals or small children upon release.

A study on how eagles are captured in Bayan-Ölgii revealed the following: 81 were taken from nests, 101 were trapped using snares, and 46 were netted when they were too full to fly. Experts recommend reducing the practice of taking chicks from nests to avoid disturbing breeding pairs and maintain ecological balance.

Of the 1,915 eagles raised in captivity, 174 died during the training period, mainly due to collisions with rocks, attacks by wolves and foxes, or injuries sustained during hunts. The age distribution shows that 70% were between 1–4 years old, 18% were 5–6, 6% were 7–8, and 3.6% were 9–10. Most hunters release their eagles back into the wild by age 5 or 6, contributing to the species’ natural reproduction and population growth. A golden eagle can live up to 30–50 years in the wild.

When a newly captured eagle is brought home, the woman of the household traditionally greets it by sprinkling milk and offering sacred foods as part of a welcoming ritual.

Historical Background

The tradition of training birds of prey for hunting dates back to the Turkic era, as evidenced by ancient stone inscriptions and monuments. The French envoy William of Rubruck, who visited in 1253–1255, noted in his travelogue that “nomads carry falcons on their right arms with hoods on their eyes.” Marco Polo wrote that “the Great Khan would go hunting with 500 falcons and 10,000 companions.” Genghis Khan’s battle standards and banners were symbolized by the White Falcon. Kazakh Khan Ablai is said to have kept 500 eagles and 300 goshawks.

In 1960, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bayan-Ölgii province’s establishment, a special event was held in Ulaanbaatar where a live fox was caught by an eagle in front of a crowd. This was the first official “Eagle Hunter’s Council” gathering. Since 2000, the annual Golden Eagle Festival has been organized, celebrating this ancient cultural heritage.

Traditions of Eagle Hunters

When a newborn child is first swaddled, eagle claws or talons are traditionally placed near the head as a symbol of protection and strength. It is customary that women do not let an eagle perch on their arm. The first prey caught by the eagle must be presented to an elder as a mark of respect. The person who receives the prey is expected to offer a blessing and wish for good fortune. If an eagle dies unexpectedly, it is traditionally buried with reverence near the peak where it was first captured.

Upon bringing the eagle home, it is washed to remove the wild bird scent and rolled in livestock manure to help it adapt to domestic smells. The eagle is frequently taken out and handled, its hood (called tomaga) removed and replaced repeatedly to help it adjust to human presence. The owner strokes and talks to the eagle, helping it recognize their voice and presence. It is perched on a designated wooden stand and trained through gentle handling, stretching its claws and depriving it of sleep to make it more tame and manageable.

Despite being a wild raptor, the eagle is highly intelligent and sensitive. It quickly learns its owner’s temperament and responds to their voice. It even becomes accustomed to a daily feeding schedule. Once it is tamed, the eagle is trained to chase fox or hare hides dragged behind a horse and is also called to the arm for exercise.

Before the hunting season begins, typically in August, its diet is gradually reduced to control its weight and energy. Too much fat, especially from marmot meat, can cause breathlessness due to heart fat accumulation, so it is fed cautiously. The eagle must not be overfed or underfed: overweight eagles will not hunt, and underweight ones lack the strength to catch prey. An eagle with a well-balanced diet is alert, agile, and sleeps calmly by tucking its head between its wings—a defensive posture to protect from its natural enemy, the owl. Eagles and owls are mortal enemies: during the day, eagles attack owls, and at night, owls will go after eagles, often crushing their heads. Hence, eagles instinctively hide their heads when resting.

Eagle Hunter’s Gear and Tools

An eagle hunter uses various specialized tools including:

• A perch for the eagle
• A tomaga (hood for the eagle’s eyes)
• Feeding bowl
• Leg straps and tethers
• A Y-shaped perch for carrying the eagle on horseback
• Heavy gloves
• A funnel for feeding liquids
• A pouch for field provisions
• A koya (stomach-cleaning tool)
• Small animal decoys
• Protective gear for the eagle’s legs and wings
• Bedding cloth
• Nets and traps

The hunter typically wears leather trousers, a fur-lined deel (traditional coat), and a fur hat with three ear flaps. Most hunting begins with the first snowfall, and there are various types of hunts such as fresh snow hunting, daytime hunts, half-day hunts, and recreational hunts. When going hunting, eagle hunters are accompanied by trackers, flushers, and beaters.

Eagles have extraordinary vision, capable of spotting mice or marmots from altitudes of 500 to 1,000 meters. The eagle’s first successful hunt is called bau ashar or “tether blessing,” and the captured prey is gifted to one of the companions as a celebratory custom.

If an eagle flies too far and does not return, the owner entices it back with fresh meat or blood-soaked meat while calling out and waving it in the air. When the eagle returns, it is rewarded with strokes on its back and a special treat.