Poland 20 Zlotych 2008 Falco peregrinus (Falco peregrinus)

The series aims at presenting animal species that are threatened with extinction due to the development of the civilization. The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is present in almost the entire world. In the past the species was commonly seen in Poland, although it was not numerous. In the 1960s it almost became extinct. Nowadays, thanks to the efforts of falconers and ecologists, there are several pairs of falcons living in Poland. The falcon is to a great extent characterized by sexual dimorphism. The male is the size of a pigeon, while the female is by one third bigger than the male. The falcon hunts for middle-sized birds exclusively in flight. It attacks diving from high altitude, reaching the speed of up to 360 km/h. Between March and April the female lays 3–5 dark, spotted eggs that need to be hatched for 32 days. The young stay in the nest for 6 weeks and then learn to hunt. After achieving independence they have temporary habitats, but as soon as they are sexually mature they become sedentary birds. Almost all over the world the falcon build nests on the rocks, using natural hollows. Obverse: The image of an eagle established as the emblem of the Republic of Poland. Under the eagle there is a notation of the year of issue: 2008, below it there an inscription: ZŁ 20 ZŁ. At the eagle's sides there is a image of the national flag. At the top there is an semicircular inscription: RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA. There is the mint mark under the eagle’s left leg. Reverse: An image of a mature peregrine falcon and two chicks sitting in a nest on a rock. On the right there is an image of a mountain chain fragment. At the top there is a semicircular inscription: SOKÓŁ WĘDROWNY – Falco peregrinus. Obverse designer: Ewa Tyc-Karpińska Reverse designer: Roussanka Nowakowska