Traditional hawk festival in Doha 2022

Each year hundreds of people come together to present their hawks, showing off their hunting abilities and beauty in Qatar's capital Doha.

Both young and old, amounting to more than 1,500 people, gathered to see and be seen with these graceful animals.

The festival is held each year in January and is considered one of the most important ones on the calendar.

The bird of prey is seen as the symbol of the country, and aside from this festival, it is seen in many a different occasion.

The hawks step up their game in a wide range of competitions.

A hawk flies by as a cameraman tries to capture its flight, Jan. 30, 2022.

The bird of prey soaring in the clear sky, Jan. 30, 2022.

Spectators watch from a grandstand as a hawk turns around, Jan. 30, 2022.

A teenager sends off his hawk, Jan. 30, 2022.

A hawk looking around, Jan. 30, 2022.

A hawk flying around, Jan. 30, 2022.

A person setting his hawk off to compete, Jan. 30, 2022.

A man looks on as his hawk takes flight, Jan. 30, 2022.

A hawk making a turn in the sky, Jan. 30, 2022.

A close-up of a hawk in flight, Jan. 30, 2022.

A trainer and his hawk pose in front of the festival logo, Jan. 30, 2022.

Another competitor and his hawk posing in front of the festival logo, Jan. 30, 2022.

A child and his hawk are seen with an official, Jan. 30, 2022.