Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon has a black head and a distinct black beard under the eye. Long pointed wings and a short tail give it its typical appearance. It is the fastest bird of prey, and one of the fastest creatures of all on planet Earth. Thanks to this speed, it specializes in avian prey – mostly pigeons, sparrows, and fieldfares – which it catches by the wing. In the wild, it nests primarily on rock faces; where no rocks are available, it will move into discarded nests of other species. The Peregrine Falcon does not build or repair nests, and in rocky terrain will often brood on the naked ground. The Peregrine Falcon is extremely rare in the Czech Republic. In modern times, it has proven useful at airports, but also protects vineyards and other crop cultures against various birds.