Katie's Corner - March 2015

KATIE'S CORNER

Odds and ends from your pal in Customer Support

Trivia

The world’s tallest man-made structure is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 2,722 feet tall (829.8 meters), it was given the official title “Tallest Building in the World” at its opening on January 4, 2010. This month, we were given a new perspective on Dubai when an imperial eagle named Darshan took flight from the top of the Burj Khalifa, setting a world record for the “highest recorded bird flight from a man-made structure.

Born in captivity, Darshan had never flown from such a height. But in the wild, bald eagles soar at altitudes up to 10,000 feet, and the endangered Ruppell’s griffon vulture has been seen at 37,000 feet, more than 13 times the height of Burj Khalifa!

Cool Web Stuff

In this amazing video, you literally get an eagle-eye view of Dubai, as Darshan takes flight and soars over the city. On a signal from its trainer on the ground (at 1:40 on the video) the raptor folds in its wings and DIVES to a fast landing on the trainer’s arm. I think you’ll find it exhilarating. This event was arranged by Freedom Conservation to raise awareness for endangered species.

Tips & Tricks

Falconry (or hawking) is the sport of hunting with a trained bird of prey, usually a falcon or hawk, and occasionally, an eagle. But these magnificent and highly independent raptors do not respond to training out of affection or fear, so how does a trainer take control of the bird’s behavior? By controlling the bird’s appetite! You can read a fascinating description and history of the sport here.

Thank you for your support!