What Is the National Bird of Kuwait? Meaning and Facts

Kuwait's national bird is the falcon, most specifically identified in reference sources as the saker falcon (Falco cherrug). The falcon also sits at the heart of Kuwait's national emblem, adopted in 1962, where a golden falcon known as the "Hawk of Quraish" holds the country's shield. So whether you're looking at the national bird listing or the state emblem, the answer is the same: it's a falcon, and the saker falcon is the species most consistently named.

The official answer and what the sources say

Multiple credible references point to the saker falcon as Kuwait's national bird. A U.S. government document submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial explicitly refers to "the saker falcon, national bird of Kuwait." Kuwait's national symbols page lists the national bird as simply "Falcon," and the 1962 state emblem centers on a golden falcon. The saker falcon is also catalogued with a dedicated species page on KuwaitBirds.org, the country's main ornithological reference site, which gives it added local authority.

The emblem itself was designed by Mohammed Husni Zaki and officially adopted in 1962. It depicts a golden falcon with wings displayed, carrying a shield that shows the Kuwaiti flag, with a dhow (traditional sailing vessel) at the base. WorldAtlas also confirms the 1962 adoption date. The falcon on the emblem is described as the "Hawk of Quraish," a heraldic symbol used across several Arab states that ties directly to Arab and Islamic identity.

What the falcon means to Kuwait

The falcon is not just a symbol on a document. It runs through Kuwaiti culture in a living, practical way. Falconry is a deeply embedded tradition across the Arabian Gulf, and Kuwait is no exception. The Kuwait Times describes how falconry blends tradition and technology across the region, and a note tied to Kuwait's Liberation Medal even puts it plainly: "falconry is the sport of Kings in the Persian Gulf." The falcon in Kuwait's arms is read as a symbol of Kuwaiti prowess and strength, not just a decorative choice.

The "Hawk of Quraish" name adds a second layer of meaning. The Banu Quraish is the Arab tribal lineage traditionally associated with the Prophet Muhammad, so using this specific heraldic falcon is a statement of Arab identity and Islamic heritage. You see the same symbol appear across other Arab state emblems, which is why Kuwait's use of it places the country within a shared regional and civilizational tradition.

There's also a maritime angle. The dhow in the emblem sits beneath the falcon, connecting Kuwait's seafaring and pearl-diving history to the same national iconography. Falconry on land, trading by sea: the two symbols together reflect how Kuwaitis have historically defined themselves.

Why a falcon, and why this goes back further than 1962

The 1962 emblem adoption was the formal moment, but falcon imagery in Kuwaiti official design predates it by decades. A Kuwaiti Ministry of Information account notes that as far back as 1940, a falcon appeared above crossed pennants in an official design context, and a 1956 emblem design also featured a raised falcon. By the time the current emblem was formalized at independence, the falcon had already been part of Kuwait's visual and symbolic language for at least two generations.

The choice of the saker falcon specifically makes practical sense too. The saker is a large, powerful hierofalcon native to a broad range from Central Europe through Central Asia and into the Middle East. It has historically been prized in falconry across the Arab world for exactly the qualities Kuwaiti culture celebrates: speed, power, and precision. Its presence in Kuwait as a species (documented by KuwaitBirds.org) means the designation reflects the bird's actual relationship with the land, not just an abstract choice.

Quick facts about the saker falcon

One fact worth noting for conservation-minded readers: the saker falcon is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Demand from falconry markets, habitat loss, and illegal trapping have all contributed. This makes the species an increasingly significant symbol, not just culturally but as a conservation talking point across Gulf states.

Why you might see conflicting answers online

A few things can muddy the search results. First, Kuwait's national symbols page lists the national bird as "Falcon" without specifying the species, so some sources stop there and don't drill down to "saker falcon." That's not wrong, just incomplete. Second, the saker falcon is also listed as the national bird of several other countries (including the UAE, Hungary, and Mongolia), so you may see it come up across multiple national bird lists in a way that feels repetitive or confusing. The UAE is one of the places where the saker falcon is also listed among national bird choices the UAE, Hungary, and Mongolia.

Third, there is at least one well-publicized advocacy campaign to make the crab plover Kuwait's national bird instead. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported on an environmental researcher who proposed the crab plover, pointing to Boubyan Island as a key habitat. This is a proposal, not an official designation. The crab plover is not Kuwait's national bird today. It's the kind of story that can surface in search results and create the impression of a dispute where there really isn't one at the official level.

When you're trying to verify, the most credible combination of sources is: the state emblem (officially adopted 1962), the national symbols of Kuwait reference page, and the U.S. government CFA document that names the saker falcon directly. Those three together give you a consistent, documented answer.

How Kuwait compares to its neighbors

Kuwait is far from alone in choosing a falcon as its national bird. Across the Gulf and wider Arab world, falcon symbolism is dominant. The UAE's deep connection to the peregrine falcon and the role of falconry in Emirati identity is well documented, and Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman each have their own relationships with falcon imagery and national bird designations. For Qatar specifically, you would find that its national bird is different from Kuwait's falcon. If you are asking specifically about Dubai, the national bird in the UAE is the falcon, commonly linked with the peregrine falcon in Emirati sources UAE's deep connection to the peregrine falcon. Bahrain, like several Gulf neighbors, also uses a national-bird designation that can be checked against official sources. If you are asking specifically what Oman’s national bird is, you can look for the official national symbols guidance or a national birds reference for Oman Oman each have their own relationships with falcon imagery. Saudi Arabia's national bird is often identified in reputable national symbols references as the falcon, and it is commonly discussed alongside Gulf falconry traditions. Iraq and Jordan use different birds entirely. Jordan's national bird is also frequently listed in national symbol sources, but it is different from Kuwait's falcon Jordan use different birds entirely. Iraq's national bird is the golden oriole Iraq and Jordan use different birds entirely.. If you're researching the broader pattern of national birds in the Middle East, Kuwait fits neatly into a regional story about falconry culture shaping national identity.

Where to go if you want to dig deeper

For the most reliable next steps, here's where to look:

1. KuwaitBirds.org: The most focused Kuwait-specific ornithological resource online. It has a dedicated saker falcon species page and a falcons section that puts the bird in local ecological context.
2. The Emblem of Kuwait page (available on major reference encyclopedias): Gives you the full official description of the 1962 emblem, the "Hawk of Quraish" designation, and the designer's name.
3. National symbols of Kuwait reference pages: Useful for a quick cross-check of how the bird is categorized at the national symbols level.
4. IUCN Red List (iucnredlist.org): If you want to check the saker falcon's current conservation status and range, this is the authoritative scientific source.
5. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA): For tracking any updates or developments in Kuwaiti environmental policy, including any future official changes to national symbol designations.

The answer you can walk away with right now: Kuwait's national bird is the falcon, identified most precisely as the saker falcon. It's backed by the state emblem adopted at independence in 1962, referenced in U.S. government documents, and grounded in a centuries-old falconry tradition that still defines Gulf culture today. Any source suggesting otherwise is either incomplete, outdated, or describing an advocacy position rather than an official designation.