Sapsan – a bird of prey family Sokolin distributed on all continents except Antarctica. The size of a gray crow appears dark, aspidno-gray plumage back, dappled light belly and a black top of the head, as well as black «mustache». Depending on the size and characteristics of color, distinguish about 17 subspecies of this bird.
This is the fastest bird (and even animal) in the world - according to experts, it is capable of attacking a speed exceeding 322 km / h or 90 m / sec. During a hunting peregrine is sitting on prisade no plans to sky; finding prey, he is lifted above the victim, and almost at right angles rapidly dive down ( «bets»), tangential hit her clasped against the body and legs. Shock claws back fingers are so strong that a large game may even otletet head.
The object of the hunting falcon are predominantly medium-sized birds such as pigeons starlings, ducks and other aquatic species and okolovodnye, rarely small mammals. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of two years, a pair of saves for life. Nest on rocky cliffs, peaks uvalov, rarely on moss tussock bogs or stone buildings - the roofs and ledges of tall buildings, bell tower, bridges, etc.
For all the time observing peregrine considered a rare bird. After the end of the Second World War, their already small size has become markedly reduced, largely due to economic use of DDT and other pesticides have a negative effect on the embryonic development of offspring. Only in the 1970's due to a ban on the use of pesticides, as well as the implementation of environmental programs, the population of birds in many parts of the world slowly began to recover. Sapsan included in the Red Book of Russia as a small type (II category), as well as in Annex I of the CITES Convention, which prohibits trade in these birds in the world.