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The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), a bird of prey that, on average, flies at 160 km/h, but is capable of diving at over 320 km/h when chasing prey! The critter, found practically all over the world, is so fast that it would leave behind a jet on takeoff! Check out below how it reaches this incredible speed and get to know other birds that rock in flight. 🙂
An expert hunter, the peregrine falcon uses an ingenious strategy to capture its prey: catch warm air currents to reach great heights. In some cases, it rises 1,500 meters above ground level.
From up there, it is easy for him to locate his victims, which can be other birds – such as pigeons, ducks and pheasants – or rodents. Once the target is spotted, it dives almost perpendicularly to the ground, sometimes in free fall.
When diving, he glues his wings to his body and controls the direction of flight by opening them slightly. With short wing movements, it can accelerate even more, exceeding 320 km/h.
Finally, it grabs the prey with its claws or simply knocks it down with its paws. Stunned, the victim falls in circular motions while the peregrine falcon turns around to catch him in the fall.