8 Fastest Birds in Flight: Unveiling the Speed Demons of the Sky

Zee Media Bureau
Mar 01, 2024

Rock Dove (Common Pigeon)

Thriving in urban environments, they can fly at speeds of about 127 km/h (79 mph)​​

Red-breasted Merganser

A duck specialized for swimming and flying rapidly, capable of reaching speeds of 129 km/h (80 mph)​​

Anna’s Hummingbird

Surprisingly fast for its size, it can hit speeds over 98 km/h (60 mph) during courtship dives​

Frigate Petrel

Using dynamic soaring, this bird can reach over 153 km/h (95 mph) across tropical and subtropical oceans​

Eurasian Hobby

A slim falcon species capable of reaching 160 km/h (100 mph) in pursuit of large insects, bats, and small birds

White-throated Needletail

Closely related to the spine-tailed swift, it achieves speeds of 169 km/h (105 mph) thanks to its aerodynamic body and curved wings​

Frigatebird

Known for their aerial agility, frigatebirds can reach speeds up to 153 km/h (95 mph), leveraging their large wingspan-to-body-weight ratio to pursue other birds and steal their food​

Peregrine Falcon

Renowned as the fastest bird, the Peregrine Falcon can reach speeds up to 389 km/h (242 mph) during its hunting stoop, a steep dive towards prey​

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