How fast does peregrine falcon fly

There's so much to see and hear at Minsmere, from rare birds and otters to stunning woodland and coastal scenery. I have been a keen naturalist all of my life with a particular interest in birds, insects and animal behaviour.

I have a background in Environmental Biology and Environmental Impact Assessment and regularly contribute to bird surveys. Other interests I have include wildlife gardening and birding as well as keeping track with important issues such as climate change and renewable energy. The peregrine falcon is arguably the fastest bird in the sky.

Its streamlined body, powerful muscles and swept-back wing shape are perfect for fast flight. During level flight, with motion generated by wing-beats alone, they can reach speeds between mph. This is one of the fastest known speeds for level flight with only a few species of duck, wader and pigeon known to reach similar speeds in comparable flight. Most species of wild bird will have many different flying styles which they use in different situations. Birds will reach different speeds during these different flight styles.

Migrating birds will often have a fast and steady rhythm, often using the wind to assist them. General flight will be more pedestrian whilst display flights and predator prey interactions can result in short sharp bursts of fast flight. It is during aerial pursuit where extremely fast speeds are reached by both predator and prey and this is where the peregrine is in a league of its own. Clum, Tom J. Cade and W. Grainger Hunt. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus , version 2.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, peregrine falcons are the most widespread bird in the world, absent only on isolated islands and in high mountains, expansive deserts and jungles. Although it may be difficult to spot one sitting still, you can identify them by their bluish-gray backs and similarly colored long, pointed wings, as well as the white and black spots on their bellies.

They also have black stripes set against their whitish faces, which resemble mustaches. As fast as they are, peregrine falcons could barely outrun or outfly the dangers of Dichloro-diphenyl-trichlorethane DDT. Beginning in the s and lasting through the early '70s, the entire American peregrine falcon population experienced drastic declines due to the widespread use of this deadly pesticide, which caused their eggshells to weaken and break and led baby peregrine falcons to die before hatching.

By , only known nesting pairs, or mating couples, were left. Thanks to some fast action and the Endangered Species Act, the peregrines are speeding back to health and their numbers now stand at about 2, to 3, breeding pairs [source: U. Fish and Wildlife Service ]. There's no doubt about it: Birds are flying machines. They've developed a number of adaptations, many of which have earned them a reputation as aerial acrobats. Their light hollow bones, streamlined feathers, curved wings and strong chest muscles are just a few of the tools that help give birds speed.

Because of the many different variations and gradations of these traits, each of the more than 10, species of birds has its own style or specialty of flying. Some are gliders, and some are flappers; some reach jetlike speeds, while others cruise by the clouds. The average bird travels a respectable 19 to 37 mph 30 to 60 kph , but the peregrine falcon flies at rates between 40 and 60 mph 64 and 97 kph -- and that's just a warm-up.

A birds muscles for flapping are attached to its keel. The peregrine falcon has a very large keel, allowing more muscle to be attached to it and in turn more flapping power to be generated.

The feathers of the peregrine falcon also contribute to its high speeds. The feathers are slim and stiff, reducing the drag that can be caused by loose limp feathers. The peregrine falcon appears extremely aerodynamic, but if it were not for its incredibly efficient respiratory and circulatory systems, it would not be able to reach the speeds it does. The peregrine falcon can do this because it has a one-way air flow into its lungs.