The Peregrine Falcon can fly at speeds of 320 km/h, making it not only the fastest bird but also the fastest animal on the planet.
The Peregrine Falcon diving to catch prey. (Photo: Australia Geographic).
The Peregrine Falcon can only achieve its maximum speed during a hunting dive known as stooping, according to IFL Science. Essentially, this is a rapid free-fall technique that the falcon uses to catch its prey. After soaring to a height well above its target (which could be another bird), the falcon tucks in its wings to streamline its body for a more aerodynamic shape while diving headfirst. Just a moment before reaching its target on the ground or in the air, the falcon spreads its wings to slow down and change direction.
The fastest speed ever recorded for a Peregrine Falcon during a stoop is 389.46 km/h, achieved by a bird named Frightful in Washington State. Filmed in a National Geographic documentary, the dive began when the falcon was released from an aircraft at an altitude of 5,182 meters, significantly higher than the typical cruising altitude for this species. Consequently, some ornithologists question the validity of this record, wondering if a Peregrine Falcon could reach such heights under normal conditions.
Despite holding the record for vertical speed, the Peregrine Falcon is not a match for the Common Swift when it comes to horizontal flight. During courtship displays, swifts can reach speeds of up to 111.6 km/h. However, the White-throated Needletail, a relative of the Common Swift, can fly much faster. Unconfirmed reports suggest they can reach a maximum speed of 169 km/h.
Currently, the title of fastest horizontal flying animal belongs to the Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, with a flight speed of 160 km/h.
