What winged creature do the Nazgûl ride?

The Nazgûl ride fell beasts, the enormous winged creatures that carry them into battle and across Middle-earth. Tolkien describes these creatures as ancient, terrifying beings associated with Mordor, but does not give them a detailed species name or explain their exact origin.

The fell beasts are not dragons. They have wings, leathery bodies, long necks, beaks, and claws, and their appearance is closer to monstrous prehistoric flying animals than to the fire-breathing dragons of Tolkien’s mythology. Their shrieks and stench add to the supernatural terror surrounding the Ringwraiths.

The Lord of the Rings films made the creatures especially memorable during the attack on Minas Tirith and the pursuit of Frodo and Sam. In the books, the Witch-king’s mount is killed by Éowyn and Merry during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, while other fell beasts continue to serve the Nazgûl.

Great Eagles are a frequent mix-up because they are also giant flying creatures in Middle-earth. They are independent allies of the Free Peoples, however, and are never the Nazgûl’s mounts.