What is the fastest bird?
The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird and the fastest animal on Earth. In a hunting dive, called a stoop, it can exceed 320 km/h (200 mph).
Peregrines hunt other birds in the air. They climb high, then fold their wings and dive at their prey, striking with their talons. Special bony structures in their nostrils help them breathe at such high speeds, and a third eyelid protects their eyes.
In level flight, the fastest birds are different. White-throated needletails, a type of swift, and some ducks and geese can fly very fast over long distances. The common swift spends most of its life in the air, even sleeping while flying.
A comeback story
Peregrine falcons nearly disappeared from parts of North America and Europe in the mid-20th century because the pesticide DDT made their eggshells thin. After DDT was banned, their numbers recovered. Today many peregrines nest on skyscrapers and bridges in big cities, hunting pigeons.
Did You Know?
Peregrine falcons live on every continent except Antarctica, making them one of the most widespread birds of prey.