In nature, speed is a weapon used by many animals for hunting and also an advantage for many animals to escape from the pursuit of predators. Many animals, including birds, will either starve to death or become prey to predators if they are not fast enough. There are over 10000 species of birds in existence worldwide, and since most of them can fly, they are all very fast. However, among the strong, there will always be the strongest. Let’s take a look at the top 10 fastest flying birds in the world:
10th place, grey headed albatross
Gray headed albatross is one of the fastest migrating birds in the world, and I believe it should be ranked tenth. It mainly inhabits seabirds in the Southern Ocean.The Haiyan Peak on Macquarie Island is the only known grey headed albatross breeding ground in Australia.There is a breeding population of approximately 80 pairs of gray headed albatrosses living here. However, the area is already under serious threat from the rampant wild rabbits.
From the name, the head of this bird is indeed gray. Its wingspan is 2.2 meters long and it can fly long distances at a speed of 127 kilometers per hour. Gray headed albatrosses spend most of their lives in seawater, so they have salt glands on their bodies to overcome excessive salt in their bodies.
9th place, Gyrfalcon
Gyrfalcon is considered the largest species of falcon. Distributed on various islands in northern North America, Europe, and Asia. The color patterns on their wings are like marble, with black and white conical shapes. In addition, it is said that because they are the largest among falcons, they are often trained by hunters to be good helpers. The hunting targets of spear falcons are mainly birds such as grouse and waterfowl. Their hunting method usually involves rapid dives to the ground, extending their claws to capture prey, and rarely attacking in the air. Their diving speed can reach up to 128 kilometers per hour.
8th place, red brewed merger
Red brewed Merganser belongs to the moderate fish eating duck class, with a body length of 53 centimeters. The mouth is slender and hooked, and the food is mainly small fish. It also eats other aquatic animals such as aquatic insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks. Occasionally, I also eat a small amount of plant-based food. Distributed in the northern border, India, and China, overwintering in Southeast Asia.
Can you imagine someone once being overtaken by this bird while flying a plane? It is said that the cruising speed of the plane at that time had exceeded 160 kilometers per hour! But the average speed of this bird species is generally 130 kilometers per hour. With such a fast speed, they can fly quickly from afar and catch the sea fish, small insects, and frogs they discover.
7th place, Plectropterus gambensis
Plectropterus gambensis is a bird type between geese and ducks, and is considered the largest living duck in other taxonomic systems. It is the giant waterfowl of Africa, with a huge body size that does not diminish its flying ability. As the leading geese, they inhabit the vast waters south of the Sahara and feed on grains and aquatic plants. Despite their robust physique, the winged geese can soar through the blue sky at speeds of up to 141 kilometers per hour, thanks to their strong and powerful wings. It is worth mentioning that they also have excellent navigation capabilities, allowing them to accurately reach their destination during long migration journeys, showcasing the wonders of nature.
6th Place, Red Tailed Hawk
Red tailed Hawk is a bird species in the family Falconidae of the order Falconiformes. [10] Its body is robust, with wide and round wings, and a red and broad tail. [8] The red tailed pheasant is one of the largest members of various birds, with a body length of 45-56 centimeters and a weight of 690-1300 grams.
As a medium-sized raptor in North America, the Red spotted Hawk appears to fly leisurely on a daily basis, maintaining a speed of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour. However, once it discovers its prey, it transforms into an aerial hunter, diving down at an astonishing speed of 193 kilometers per hour to accurately capture its target. The red tailed owl prefers rodents and small mammals, and its sharp vision can help it locate mice in the grass from tens of meters away. Once its claws grip its prey tightly, the mouse cannot escape its beak, which is the hunting skill of the red tailed owl.
5th place, Gyrfalcon
Gyrfalcon is mainly distributed in the polar regions of Europe, Asia, North America, Greenland, and Iceland. It ranks at the top of flight speed, easily breaking through 140 kilometers per hour in horizontal flight and reaching an astonishing 241 kilometers per hour during diving. As the world’s largest falcon species, the spear falcon has a majestic body, strong muscles, and white feathers. They often dive rapidly in vast areas to prey on birds, and low altitude pursuit of squirrels and rabbits is also their specialty. The ferocity and speed of the spear falcon make it an undisputed hegemon in the sky, and every time it spreads its wings and soars, it is astonishing.
4th place, Golden Eagle (320 km/h)
The Golden Eagle is the aerial king of North America, with its massive body and outstanding flying skills that are awe inspiring. With a body length of nearly one meter, a wingspan of over 2.3 meters, and a weight of seven kilograms, it searches for prey with extraordinary vision. Once discovered, the golden eagle gallops down from high altitude, reaching a speed of up to 320 kilometers per hour. Its wings momentarily come to a halt, aiming at the prey’s head and penetrating deeply with its claws, quickly ending the battle. The power and speed of the Golden Eagle make it the undisputed ruler of the sky, with both strength and agility, awe inspiring.
3rd place, Falcocherrug (322 km/h)
Falco cherrug is known for its third highest flying speed and unique hunting style. Once they discover their prey, they dive down at an astonishing speed of 322 kilometers per hour, instantly subduing them and leaving people terrified. In daily flight, falcons can also demonstrate a speed of 150 kilometers per hour. This raptor is not only respected by people, but also revered as the national bird by Mongolia and Hungary. However, excessive hunting has led to a sharp decline in the population of falcons, putting them on the brink of extinction, and their survival status is deeply concerning. We need to work together to protect this precious aerial superpower.
2nd place, Fregata magnificens (350 km/h)
Fregata magnificens ranks second with a long lifespan of up to 25 to 30 years. Its chest muscles are well-developed and its flying ability is outstanding, earning it the title of “flying champion”. They have superb gliding skills, and their wings flap with little but powerful force. Warship birds can fly up to a height of thousands of kilometers, flip freely in the air, and fly thousands of kilometers to hunt. When hunting, the diving speed is astonishing, reaching up to 350 kilometers per hour at the fastest. This extraordinary flying ability makes the magnificent warship bird stand out in the world of birds, becoming a beautiful scenery in the sky.
1st place, Peregrine Falcon (389 km/h)
The championship rightfully belongs to the peregrine falcon, the king of speed among birds and the fastest animal on Earth. Its fast flight speed inspired the B2 stealth bomber. In daily life, peregrine falcons soar with an elegant posture and can reach speeds of 60 to 100 kilometers per hour. However, when hunting, it exhibits astonishing explosive power, diving rapidly from high altitude and reaching speeds of up to 389 kilometers per hour, accurately capturing prey. This unparalleled speed and precision make peregrine falcons the top hunters in nature, showcasing their unparalleled strength.