A new addition to the security team at Prague Castle: Harris's hawk Eda!
Visitors to Prague Castle are wowed by more than its majestic architecture and change of guard outside the main gates. A lot of attention also goes to the hawks that protect the site from pigeons!
The historic landmarks of Prague Castle, especially St. Vitus Cathedral, require protection from the damage caused by pigeons. Trained birds of prey are used to safeguard the site, and the latest addition to this effort is a Harris's hawk named Eda. According to falconer Ladislav Hokr, Eda is still undergoing training and is ideal for the job due to the species’ temperament, which has made it popular in Europe.
Eda is trained to navigate the bustling environment of Prague Castle and chase pigeons away. The presence of birds of prey helps prevent pigeons from nesting and damaging the castle with their droppings. Although the hawks do not hunt, they play a crucial role in protecting the cathedral from destruction.
The tradition of falconry at Prague Castle dates back centuries and is honored through exhibits in the Falconer’s House, a historical building within the castle grounds.
