When we think of fast birds, the peregrine falcon is one that often comes to mind. With its pointed wings and streamlined body, the peregrine is built for speed and capable of reaching velocities up to 200 mph when diving from great heights to strike prey. But the peregrine is not the only bird that can hit such fast speeds in a dive. Here are some other birds that can dive at 200 mph or more.
Peregrine Falcon
As mentioned, the peregrine falcon is renowned as one of the fastest birds on Earth. When diving from great heights, they can reach speeds well over 200 mph. Peregrines use a hunting technique called a stoop, in which they spot prey from high up, then go into a steep dive, building up immense speed as they drop. At the last moment, they pull out of the dive and strike prey with tremendous force. Their long, pointed wings and aerodynamic shape allow them to slice through the air at speeds above 200 mph before impacting prey. This makes them lethal hunters. The highest measured speed for a peregrine is around 242 mph.
Golden Eagle
Golden eagles are large, powerful raptors that inhabit mountainous areas across the Northern Hemisphere. Like peregrines, they are adept at hunting on the wing and can reach great speeds in a stoop or dive. When diving at prey, golden eagles can reach 200 mph, though not usually as fast as peregrines. Their bulkier body and broader wings mean they have a bit more drag. But their speed and power are still impressive, especially for such a large bird. Their dive bombing attacks make them effective predators capable of taking down sizable prey, including rabbits, foxes, and young deer.
Spine-Tailed Swift
This small relative of the hummingbird occurs in Africa and parts of the Middle East. It feeds on insects caught during flight and is the fastest flying bird in flapping flight, capable of horizontal speeds exceeding 100 mph. But the spine-tailed swift can also move vertically at great speeds. During courtship displays, the bird climbs very high then goes into a spiraling dive, plummeting toward the ground before pulling up. Speeds in excess of 190 mph have been recorded for these birds during such dives. The structure of their scythe-like wings allows incredibly fast movement both horizontally and vertically.
White-Throated Needletail
Found across parts of Asia, Australia and the Pacific, the white-throated needletail is another swift capable of remarkably fast flight. It feeds on insects caught on the wing and has very long, curved wings adapted for aerial agility and speed. When descending from heights to chase prey or display to mates, it can go into a steep dive and reach speeds of around 170 mph before pulling out of the stoop. Though not as fast as the related spine-tailed swift, it can still put on impressive bursts of speed in a dive.
Frigatebird
Frigatebirds are large seabirds known for their aerial agility and speed. Their very long, narrow wings make them extremely swift fliers. When courtship displaying, male frigatebirds will climb very high, up to a mile or more altitude, before tucking in their wings and going into a sharp plummet. As they streak towards the sea surface, they can reach speeds over 175 mph before pulling out and opening their wings once more. Their pointed wings and streamlined feathers are perfect for cutting through the air during these impressive dives.
Red-Tailed Hawk
One of the most widespread and commonly seen hawks in North America, the red-tailed hawk is a skillful flier and hunter. When spotting prey from great heights, it will go into a fast dive or stoop, building up speed as it hurtles towards the ground before impacting its target. Speeds of over 120 mph have been recorded for red-tails in such dives. Though not as fast as falcons, these large hawks are still adept at diving at high speeds to take prey.
Gyrfalcon
The largest falcon species, gyrfalcons inhabit Arctic and subarctic regions. Like other falcons they are aerial predators and can achieve very high speeds when diving from heights to strike prey. Gyrfalcons often hunt waterfowl and will plummet from great heights to deliver a devastating impact blow. Recorded speeds in these hunting dives go up to 130-150 mph. Their heavy bodies mean they don’t quite match the velocity of smaller falcons, but can still move remarkably fast in a dive.
Bald Eagle
As America’s national symbol, the bald eagle is one of the most admired birds of prey. Occurring across North America, bald eagles hunt fish, water birds and other prey, often snatching them from the water surface. When diving from a perch to attack prey, bald eagles can reach speeds between 75-99 mph. Not as fast as smaller falcons, but still impressively swift for such a large bird. They use their momentum and large talons to snag and kill prey.
Comparison of Diving Speeds
To summarize the diving speeds of some of the world’s fastest birds:
Bird | Diving Speed |
---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | 242 mph |
Golden Eagle | 200 mph |
Spine-Tailed Swift | 190 mph |
White-Throated Needletail | 170 mph |
Frigatebird | 175 mph |
Red-Tailed Hawk | 120 mph |
Gyrfalcon | 130-150 mph |
Bald Eagle | 75-99 mph |
As the table shows, when it comes to diving speed, the peregrine falcon is in a class of its own, with an observed diving speed of 242 mph. Other birds like the golden eagle, spine-tailed swift, and frigatebird can also hit speeds over 175 mph. And even hefty birds like the bald eagle can surpass 75 mph when descending at full tilt.
The reason these raptors and swifts can reach such blistering speeds is due to their streamlined body shape, long, pointed wings, and aerodynamic feathers that help them slice through the air with minimal drag. The heights from which they dive also lets them gain immense momentum, like an object accelerating in free fall before they swoop down on hapless prey.
Diving Techniques
There are some key techniques these fast-diving birds use:
Stooping
As mentioned, birds of prey like falcons and eagles use a hunting technique called stooping or diving. From a lofty perch they spot potential prey below, sometimes a mile or more altitude. Then they enter a steep dive, plowing through the air and accelerating to immense speeds as gravity pulls them earthward. At the last moment they strike the prey with incredible force.
Spiraling dives
Some birds like the spine-tailed swift and frigatebirds ascend very high in the sky, then start a spiraling dive towards the earth. As they descend the rapid spinning motion helps stabilize them as they plummet at speeds over 175 mph before pulling out of the dive.
Canted wings
Birds like peregrine falcons optimize their aerodynamics in a dive by canting or tilting their wings. By angling one wing tip slightly lower, they can better control their downward speed and trajectory.
Streamlining
All these fast-diving birds have adapted in ways that help them cut through the air with minimal drag. Sleek, teardrop-shaped bodies, long pointed wings, and smooth feather structures all aid them in reaching speeds above 200 mph.
Reasons for Diving at High Speeds
Why do some birds dive at blistering speeds? There are a few key reasons:
Capturing prey
The most obvious reason birds like falcons, eagles and swifts dive fast is to catch prey. By accelerating downwards and striking from above, they take prey by surprise and impact with devastating force.
Impressing mates
Birds also stoop or dive to show off their flying skills in courtship. Male frigatebirds, for example, wow potential mates with their spiraling, fast dives from altitude.
Defense
Some raptors may dive at high speeds to drive off intruders or threats near a nest. The fast swoop startles most predators and warns them away.
Play
Juvenile birds of prey sometimes dive at speeds apparently just for fun or practice, honing their skills for hunting later on.
Threats and Conservation
Though spectacular fliers, some fast-diving birds like the peregrine falcon suffered population declines during the mid 20th century due to use of pesticides like DDT, which accumulated in the food chain. Peregrines and other raptors were impacted by related eggshell thinning.
After DDT was banned and recovery programs instituted, peregrine populations rebounded healthily across North America and Eurasia. But habitat loss and disturbance of nest sites remains a threat for some high speed diving birds. Given suitable space, they are resilient fliers capable of hitting 200 mph dives and faster.
Conclusion
The peregrine falcon can rightly claim the title of fastest diving bird, with stoop speeds reliably hitting over 200 mph. But other birds like the gyrfalcon, golden eagle, frigatebird and spine-tailed swift can also hit 200 mph dives, an incredible speed. Even hefty buteos like red-tailed hawks reach 120 mph. The heights from which these birds dive, their streamlined shape and adapted wings allow them to reach fast velocities for hunting and aerial displays. When it comes to diving speed, these birds rule the skies.