Watch the World’s Fastest Bird That Can Dive-Bomb Its Prey at 240 MPH

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Falcons are known to be fast and powerful predatory birds. However, the peregrine falcon stands in a class by itself. The peregrine falcon is so fast that scientists had to create a computer model to be able to properly observe how the world’s fastest bird catches its prey.

With a diving speed that can reach around 240 miles per hour when chasing prey, it’s understandably hard to get a good look at the peregrine falcon. As you can see from the video, researchers created 3D models of computer-generated peregrine falcons catching 3D-generated starlings.

How Fast Can a Peregrine Falcon Fly?

Peregrine falcons can fly horizontally at 25 to 34 miles per hour, which is very fast, but not unusual for a bird. However, when a peregrine falcon divebombs for its meal, it becomes the fastest bird in the world. This method of flying is called a stoop, and peregrine falcons excel at it.

The video above shows computer-generated falcons diving at two different speeds: 93 miles per hour and 224 miles per hour. To put into perspective how fast that really is, 90 miles per hour is about the speed of a fastball in baseball. Over 200 miles per hour, on the other hand, is amazingly fast. An EF-5 tornado, which is the strongest level, has windspeeds of over 200 miles per hour. Some of the world’s fastest trains, including those in China, travel over 200 miles per hour.

What’s the Benefit of Flying So Fast?

The researchers used 3D-generated starlings as the falcon’s prey for their test. Starlings are powerful fliers, both agile and fast. They can reach speeds of 48 miles per hour. Peregrine falcons feed on starlings and are able to capture them mid-air. Researchers discovered that falcons vary their speed based on whether the starling flies straight or moves unpredictably back and forth.

Researchers thought that the computer falcon might lose maneuverability at top speeds. But what they found was the opposite. According to the computer models, when the falcon flies at around 90 miles per hour, they are very good at catching the computer starlings flying in a straight path. However, when the starlings flew erratically, the falcons picked up speed. The faster the falcon flew, the more it could generate turning force, allowing it to catch the starling.

Speed and Agility

By reaching top speeds, peregrine falcons not only overtake their prey, they can easily change direction at a second’s notice, giving them an impressive advantage. Although their speed is stunning, it’s their ability to not only fly fast but to maneuver quickly that makes them truly fearsome predators.