Birds of the Manchu

A bird of the Manchu is the falcon. The falcon is used for falconry hunting and gaming within the Manchu culture. Manchu people have been training falcons for these purposes for hundreds of years and continue to do so today. The beginning of the falcon training dates back to the Qing dynasty era (1644-1911.) Falcon training exposes a Manchu man's bravery and his conquest over nature. The training of falcons and falconry itself has expanded throughout Chinese provinces as Manchus spread. The Imperial Household Department of Beijing was influenced by the Manchu and their falconry as they developed professionals. When the Qing Emperor would went hunting every fall, he was presented falcons from the Imperial Household. Falconry is still very popular today in not only Manchu culture but other Chinese traditions.

Manchu man training a Falcon

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/22/travel/jilin-falcon-village/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchu_people#Falconry

Picture:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/22/travel/jilin-falcon-village/