From the peregrine falcon to the common swift, these birds are the cheetahs of the sky. While the cheetah reigns supreme on land, the contest for the fastest bird is a fierce competition, especially when considering level flight versus diving speed.
The Guinness Book of World Records was born from such debates. In the 1950s, Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness Brewery, sparked a debate about the fastest game bird in Europe. Unable to find a definitive answer, he decided to create a reference book. Here are some of the fastest fliers in the sky.
1. Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is renowned for its incredible speed, especially during its hunting dives. While this bird flies at a respectable 25 to 34 mph (40-55 km/h) in level flight, it truly demonstrates its remarkable speed when hunting. During a hunting dive, known as stooping, the peregrine falcon can reach astounding speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). To put this in perspective, a cheetah, the fastest land animal, can run at speeds up to 70 mph (112 km/h), while a greyhound can reach around 45 mph (72 km/h).
Peregrine falcons are among the most widespread birds of prey and are found on every continent except Antarctica. They have been used in falconry for centuries, showcasing their skills and agility. In the United States, the American and Arctic subspecies of peregrine falcons were once listed as endangered in 1970 due to the impacts of DDT and other pesticides. However, they have made a remarkable recovery thanks to restrictions on these harmful substances and successful captive breeding programs, as reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
2. Golden Eagle
The golden eagle is one of North America’s largest and most powerful raptors, distinguished by its striking golden feathers on the head and neck. This formidable bird can dive at speeds ranging from 150 to 200 mph (240 to 320 km/h) when hunting for prey such as rabbits, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs. Golden eagles employ their massive talons to capture their quarry and have even been known to take down larger animals like deer and livestock.
Once a target of fear and hunting by ranchers, the golden eagle is now protected by law, reflecting a shift in conservation efforts. These majestic birds typically reside alone or in pairs and favor open or partially open landscapes, especially near mountainous regions, cliffs, and hills. Although predominantly found in the western U.S., golden eagles are rarely seen in the eastern parts of the country. Their impressive hunting skills and majestic presence make them a symbol of strength and freedom in the avian world.
3. White-throated Needletail
The white-throated needletail, formerly known as the spine-tailed swift, is renowned for its impressive straight-line flight speed. Although not scientifically confirmed, many researchers believe this bird to be the fastest in level flight, capable of reaching speeds up to 105 mph (169 km/h). Characterized by its distinctive white throat and cigar-shaped body, the needletail is a striking presence in the sky.
These agile birds are adept at feeding while in mid-air, catching insects with their beaks. They often seek out thermal currents, particularly around bushfires or storm fronts, which assist them in maintaining their high speeds. Additionally, the white-throated needletail has specialized membranes that cover and protect its eyes during feeding, allowing it to navigate and hunt effectively while flying at such remarkable speeds.
4. Eurasian Hobby
The Eurasian hobby is celebrated for its impressive aerial acrobatics and athletic prowess. These nimble falcons are renowned for their ability to perform mid-flight maneuvers, including passing food to each other while soaring through the sky. They are believed to reach speeds of up to 99 mph (159 km/h) as they capture small birds and dragonflies in flight.
Eurasian hobbies favor open woodland, heathland, and farmland as their habitats. They can be spotted across Africa, Asia, and Europe, and occasionally venture out to sea, where they have been seen on ships far from shore. Remarkably, these birds have even been reported as rare strays in North America. Their agility and speed make them exceptional hunters and fascinating subjects for bird enthusiasts.
5. Magnificent Frigatebird
Magnificent frigatebirds are extraordinary aviators, capable of soaring for weeks at a time. These sea birds spend much of their lives gliding through the sky, often sleeping while in flight. They have adapted to their aerial lifestyle by rarely flapping their wings; when they do, their wingbeats are slow and deep.
Frigatebirds are adept at catching their prey, which they retrieve either from the ocean’s surface or snatched from the air. Unlike some seabirds, they do not dive. Instead, they sometimes harass other birds to make them disgorge their catch, which the frigatebird then steals. This behavior, described by NPR, contributes to their remarkable flight speeds, with estimates suggesting they can reach up to 95 mph (153 km/h).
During the breeding season, males display a distinctive red pouch below their beaks, which they inflate to attract mates. This combination of endurance, speed, and unique mating display makes the magnificent frigatebird a fascinating bird of the skies.
6. Gyrfalcon
The gyrfalcon, pronounced “JER-falcon,” is the largest falcon in the world, known for its fierce hunting prowess. These large and stocky raptors typically hunt birds in open country, employing various techniques to catch their prey. They often fly high and swoop down swiftly from above, or they chase their prey at high speeds, following them quickly and low to the ground. Estimates suggest that the gyrfalcon can reach speeds of at least 90 mph (145 km/h) in level flight and up to 150 mph (241 km/h) when diving, or “stooping,” to capture prey.
In the gyrfalcon species, females are substantially larger than males. These birds breed on the Arctic tundra and are often seen perching on the ground, blending into their rugged surroundings. Their impressive speed and hunting abilities make them formidable predators in their natural habitat.
7. Spur-winged Goose
The spur-winged goose, Africa’s largest waterfowl and the largest goose in the world, is a striking bird with a long neck, primarily black plumage, a white face, and large white wing patches. Despite its size, this goose is a powerful flier, capable of reaching speeds up to 88 mph (142 km/h).
Primarily foraging in wetlands and grasslands, the spur-winged goose feeds on various plants. Interestingly, it sometimes consumes toxic blister beetles and absorbs their poison (cantharidin), rendering its flesh toxic to humans. Despite this defense mechanism, the spur-winged goose remains threatened by hunting, as farmers often target them due to the perceived threat they pose to crops.
8. Red-breasted Merganser
The red-breasted merganser is a distinctive diving duck known for its shaggy, spiky head feathers. These agile birds have been clocked flying at speeds up to 81 mph (130 km/h). However, they require a running start to become airborne, as their legs are positioned near their rear, making walking difficult but aiding in diving.
This anatomical adaptation allows them to excel in their aquatic environment. Despite their awkwardness on land, red-breasted mergansers are formidable fliers and skilled divers, thriving in various water bodies where they hunt for fish and other aquatic prey.
9. Grey-headed Albatross
The grey-headed albatross, also known as the grey-headed mollymawk, is a remarkable bird of speed and endurance. French and British researchers, working in the sub-Antarctic, recorded this albatross flying at an average speed of 78.9 mph (127 km/h) during a foraging trip. This speed was maintained for nearly nine hours without rest, even during an Antarctic storm. “Despite its high speed and the storminess of the sea, the albatross still managed to successfully locate and capture prey at a rate comparable to that achieved under less extreme conditions,” the researchers noted in their report published in The Auk.
Grey-headed albatrosses are known for their extensive travel distances, taking trips up to 8,000 miles (13,000 kilometers), even during breeding season. While they typically pluck food from the ocean’s surface, they have been known to dive up to 23 feet to capture their prey. This combination of speed, endurance, and versatility makes the grey-headed albatross one of the most fascinating birds in the skies.
10. Common Swift
The common swift is a marvel of aerodynamics, perfectly designed for high-speed flight. Unlike many speed estimates for birds, scientists have precisely measured the common swift’s speed. In 2009, researchers from Lund University in southern Sweden utilized tracking radar to monitor common swifts during various flight periods, including spring migration, summer roosting, and autumn migration. They recorded an average speed of 47 mph (75 km/h), with one individual reaching an impressive top speed of 69.3 mph (111.6 km/h).
Common swifts exhibit an extraordinary behavior known as “screaming parties” during mating season, where they significantly increase their flight speed. “They were generally known for flying very fast during this behavior. However, there were no really certain measurements of how fast these flights are,” lead author Per Henningsson of Lund University explained to the BBC. “It is remarkable that a bird that otherwise appears to be ‘finely tuned’ to perform at a narrow range of flight speeds at the same time is able to fly more than twice as fast when it needs to.”
These birds showcase the incredible diversity and adaptability of avian species, each with unique abilities and adaptations that make them some of the fastest creatures in the sky.
