Marietta

Marietta was a falcon purchased by Piero de' Medici and used by Leonardo da Vinci to assist him in completing his invention, the Wings.

Biography
Originally bought by Piero de' Medici for use in his commissioned portrait by Andrea del Verrocchio, she was the most expensive bird for sale in Florence. Later she was stolen by Lorenzo de' Medici to help Leo in his altering his plans for the Wings. She was named Marietta by Tomaso. Even later she was stolen again by the thief Rizzo as a trade for the Wings. However when Lorenzo told his father, Piero de' Medici, he confronted Rizzo, forcing him to test the wings as revenge for stealing his bird. Determined not to deny her the freedom of flight, she was released back into the wild by Leo. (A Wing and a Prayer)