Birds have long captivated humans with their ability to soar through the skies, but some feathered speedsters take flight to extraordinary levels. While the fastest land animal, the cheetah, tops out at around 70 mph, the quickest birds can more than triple that velocity.
Did you know that the fastest confirmed speed of a bird in level flight is 69.3 mph, achieved by the common swift?1 However, when it comes to diving, some raptors can reach speeds that rival racing cars.
Here are the top 15 fastest birds in the world.
1. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
The peregrine falcon stands unchallenged as the fastest bird—and indeed, the fastest animal—on Earth. This raptor’s claim to fame lies in its breathtaking hunting dives, known as stoops, where it can reach speeds of up to 242 mph. This incredible velocity is achieved through a combination of gravity and the bird’s streamlined body shape, which allows it to slice through the air with minimal resistance.
While the peregrine’s diving speed is its most impressive feat, it’s no slouch in level flight either. In horizontal pursuit, these falcons can maintain speeds between 40-56 mph, with bursts up to 68 mph. This versatility makes the peregrine falcon a formidable predator, capable of outpacing and outmaneuvering almost any prey in its sights.
2. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
The majestic golden eagle takes second place in our list of aerial speedsters. While not quite matching the peregrine falcon’s top speed, this powerful bird of prey can still achieve impressive velocities during its hunting dives. Golden eagles have been recorded reaching speeds of up to 200 mph when stooping to catch prey.
In level flight, golden eagles typically cruise at speeds between 28-32 mph, but can accelerate to around 80 mph when necessary. These large raptors combine their speed with incredible strength, allowing them to take down prey much larger than themselves.
Their hunting prowess and aerial agility have earned them a respected place in many cultures throughout history.
3. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)
The saker falcon is another member of the falcon family known for its impressive speed. While not as famous as its peregrine cousin, the saker falcon is capable of reaching velocities of up to 200 mph during its high-speed dives. This makes it one of the fastest birds in the world, rivaling even the golden eagle in terms of maximum speed.
In horizontal flight, saker falcons typically maintain speeds around 93 mph, which is still remarkably fast. These birds are highly prized in falconry for their speed and hunting abilities.
Native to a wide range across Europe and Asia, saker falcons have adapted to various environments, from open grasslands to semi-desert regions, using their speed to catch prey in these diverse habitats.
4. White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus)
The white-throated needletail, also known as the spine-tailed swift, holds the record for the fastest bird in level flight. This species has been reported to reach speeds of up to 105 mph in horizontal flight, although this claim remains unverified by scientific studies. Nonetheless, even conservative estimates place its top speed well over 62 mph.
These birds are built for speed, with long, pointed wings and a streamlined body that allows them to cut through the air with minimal resistance. White-throated needletails spend most of their lives on the wing, rarely landing except to roost or nest.
Their incredible speed allows them to catch flying insects with ease, making them efficient aerial predators.
5. Common Swift (Apus apus)
The common swift holds the record for the fastest confirmed level flight by a bird, with a recorded speed of 69.3 mph. These small but mighty birds are known for their incredible endurance as well as their speed, spending almost their entire lives in the air. Some individuals have been observed staying airborne for up to 10 months at a time.
Swifts are perfectly adapted for their aerial lifestyle, with long, curved wings and a forked tail that provide excellent maneuverability. Their ability to reach high speeds allows them to catch flying insects efficiently and cover vast distances during migration.
Common swifts have been known to fly over 500 miles in a single day during their long-distance journeys.
6. Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
The Eurasian hobby is a small falcon known for its agility and speed in flight. While exact measurements of its top speed are difficult to obtain, it has been estimated to reach velocities of up to 99 mph during hunting dives. This impressive speed allows the hobby to catch fast-flying prey, including swifts and swallows, which are themselves known for their aerial prowess.
In level flight, the Eurasian hobby is still remarkably quick, able to outpace many other bird species. Its slender, streamlined body and long, pointed wings contribute to its speed and maneuverability.
These falcons are migratory, using their speed to cover long distances between their breeding grounds in Europe and Asia and their wintering areas in Africa.
7. Frigatebird (genus Fregata)
Frigatebirds are known for their impressive aerial abilities, including their speed. These seabirds have been recorded reaching speeds of up to 95 mph in level flight. Their long, angular wings, which can span up to 7.5 feet, allow them to soar effortlessly for days at a time, riding updrafts and air currents over vast stretches of ocean.
Despite their speed, frigatebirds are perhaps more remarkable for their endurance. They can stay aloft for up to two months without landing, sleeping on the wing, and catching food in mid-air or from the ocean’s surface.
Their ability to maintain high speeds over long periods makes them incredibly efficient long-distance travelers and skilled aerial hunters.
8. Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis)
The spur-winged goose might seem an unlikely candidate for one of the world’s fastest birds, but this large African waterfowl can reach impressive speeds in flight. It has been recorded flying at up to 89 mph, making it one of the fastest members of the duck and goose family.
Despite its bulky appearance, the spur-winged goose has powerful flight muscles and relatively long wings for its size, allowing it to achieve these high speeds. This ability likely helps the species during its seasonal movements within Africa as it searches for suitable wetland habitats.
The goose’s name comes from the sharp spurs on its wings, which it uses for defense and during mating displays.
9. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
The red-breasted merganser is a diving duck known for its surprisingly high flight speed. This species has been recorded flying at speeds of up to 81 mph, making it one of the fastest ducks in the world. Its streamlined body and narrow, pointed wings contribute to its impressive aerial performance.
These ducks are found across the Northern Hemisphere and are known for their long-distance migrations. Their ability to maintain high speeds during flight allows them to cover vast distances efficiently.
Red-breasted mergansers are also skilled underwater swimmers, using their speed and agility to chase and catch fish, their primary food source.
10. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
The canvasback is another duck species known for its impressive flight speed. These large diving ducks have been recorded reaching velocities of up to 80 mph during flight. Their streamlined body shape and powerful wing muscles contribute to their ability to achieve such high speeds.
Canvasbacks are found primarily in North America and are known for their long-distance migrations between breeding grounds in the northern prairies and wintering areas along the coasts. Their speed not only aids in these seasonal journeys but also helps them evade predators and quickly reach feeding areas.
Despite their velocity in the air, canvasbacks are also excellent divers, able to plunge to considerable depths in search of aquatic plants and small animals.
11. Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma)
The grey-headed albatross is a seabird renowned for its incredible flying abilities. While not typically associated with high speeds, this species has been recorded reaching velocities of up to 79 mph during strong winds. Their massive wingspan, which can reach up to 7.2 feet, allows them to harness the power of ocean winds effectively.
These birds are masters of dynamic soaring, a flight technique that involves exploiting wind shear above ocean waves to cover vast distances with minimal energy expenditure. Grey-headed albatrosses are known to circumnavigate the Southern Ocean in just 46 days, covering an average of 590 miles per day.
Their combination of speed and endurance makes them some of the most impressive long-distance flyers in the avian world.
12. Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
The common eider is a large sea duck that surprises many with its flight speed capabilities. These bulky birds have been recorded flying at speeds of up to 76 mph, a remarkable feat considering their size and weight. Their powerful chest muscles and relatively long, pointed wings contribute to this unexpected velocity.
Common eiders are found in coastal areas of the Northern Hemisphere and are well-adapted to cold marine environments. Their speed is particularly useful during migration, allowing them to cover long distances between breeding and wintering grounds efficiently.
Despite their impressive aerial abilities, eiders spend much of their time on or underwater, diving to depths of up to 65 feet in search of mollusks and crustaceans.
13. Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
The Eurasian teal, one of the smallest duck species, proves that size isn’t everything when it comes to speed. These diminutive waterfowl can reach speeds of up to 60 mph in flight, an impressive feat for a bird weighing only around 12 ounces. Their small size and agility allow them to accelerate quickly and maintain high speeds.
Eurasian teals are widespread across Europe and Asia, with some populations migrating long distances between breeding and wintering grounds. Their speed and maneuverability make them challenging targets for predators and hunters alike.
In addition to their aerial prowess, these ducks are also accomplished swimmers and divers, able to quickly submerge to escape danger or forage for food.
14. Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
The gyrfalcon, the largest of the falcon species, is another impressive aerial speedster. While exact measurements of its top speed vary, it has been estimated to reach velocities between 116-130 mph during hunting dives. In level flight, gyrfalcons typically maintain speeds of 50-62 mph.
Native to Arctic and subarctic regions, gyrfalcons have adapted to hunt in harsh, open environments where speed and power are crucial. Their large size and muscular build allow them to take down prey as large as geese and ptarmigans.
Highly prized in falconry for centuries due to their speed, power, and trainability, gyrfalcons represent the pinnacle of avian hunting prowess in their native habitats.
15. Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
While not the fastest in terms of raw speed, the Anna’s hummingbird deserves mention for its incredible aerial abilities. These tiny birds can reach speeds of up to 43 mph during their spectacular courtship dives, with an average cruising speed of about 35 mph. What makes this truly remarkable is their size – at just 0.14 ounces, they achieve speeds comparable to much larger birds.
Anna’s hummingbirds are known for their acrobatic flight capabilities, able to hover, fly backward, and make rapid directional changes. During courtship displays, males climb to heights of up to 130 feet before plummeting towards the ground in a J-shaped dive, pulling up at the last moment with a loud chirp produced by their tail feathers. This combination of speed, agility, and showmanship makes the Anna’s hummingbird a truly impressive flyer despite its diminutive size.
Each species on this list has evolved unique traits that allow it to excel in its particular niche, whether it’s hunting prey, evading predators, or embarking on long-distance migrations.
The next time you spot a bird in flight, take a moment to appreciate the extraordinary aerodynamic prowess that allows these creatures to rule the skies with such grace and speed.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.