Wind speed and cliff exposure significantly affect the breeding success of Barbary falcons in Saudi Arabia, according to groundbreaking research from the National Center for Falcons and the National Center for Wildlife. The study, published in September in the international scientific journal Life, marks the center's first peer-reviewed work to appear in a journal ranked in the first quartile by the Journal Citation Reports, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Monif Al-Rashidi of the University of Ha'il and the National Centre for Falcons, along with Mohammed Shobrak of the National Centre for Wildlife, conducted the research. They monitored 59 Barbary falcon breeding sites across northwestern and southwestern Saudi Arabia during this year's breeding season. The team examined environmental variables and nesting-site characteristics, including wind speed, rainfall, temperature and the orientation of cliff faces in relation to prevailing winds.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The sites produced an average of 1.97 chicks each. But the statistical analysis revealed something striking. A 0.678 metre-per-second increase in average seasonal wind speed was associated with an expected 19.5 percent decline in chick productivity. Greater exposure of cliff faces to prevailing winds was linked to an expected productivity decline of 18.7 percent.
These aren't small margins. They're the difference between a thriving population and a struggling one.
Conservation Applications
The researchers said the findings could help authorities assess suitable locations for releasing falcons back into the wild and improve conservation programmes. They recommended continued monitoring over several breeding seasons, as well as more detailed field measurements to strengthen the assessment of release sites, SPA noted.
The research forms part of the center's efforts to support specialised scientific studies, expand knowledge of falcons and their habitats, and apply research findings to release and conservation programmes. In May this year, the National Center for Falcons conducted a field visit to inspect and document Barbary falcon nesting sites in the Asir region, in cooperation with the National Center for Wildlife and the Special Forces for Environmental Security.
The Hadad Initiative
The visit formed part of the center's Hadad initiative, launched five years ago to protect endangered falcons, restore them to their natural habitats and promote sustainable falconry practices. The initiative represents Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving its natural heritage while maintaining traditional cultural practices.
The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition will be held from Oct. 1 to 10 in Malham, north of Riyadh. The timing isn't coincidental. The exhibition will showcase how scientific research informs conservation policy, bridging tradition and modern wildlife management.
Why This Matters:
This research demonstrates how rigorous field science can inform practical conservation decisions. For a region where falconry has deep cultural roots, understanding what makes breeding sites successful isn't just academic—it's essential for maintaining wild populations that support sustainable traditional practices. The findings give Saudi authorities concrete data for evaluating potential release sites, reducing the risk of failed reintroduction efforts. As climate patterns shift and wind conditions potentially change, this baseline data becomes even more valuable. The study also reflects the Kingdom's broader investment in environmental science and wildlife conservation, moving beyond rhetoric to peer-reviewed research that meets international standards. When conservation programmes are guided by quantifiable data rather than assumptions, both the falcons and the cultural heritage they represent stand a better chance of thriving for generations to come.