The Fastest Birds on Earth

The common eider is a large sea duck known for its distinct appearance: The male eider has striking black-and-white plumage with a green nape; the female has more subdued brown feathers. Eiders feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and other marine organisms. The bird is renowned for its valuable down, which is used in the production of high-quality insulation.

The gray-headed albatross is a seabird that stands out from its counterparts for its large wingspan and gray plumage (the gray coloration on its head and neck gives it its name). It is a skilled flier, using the ocean winds to soar effortlessly for hours, and an expert fishermen, diving deep into the water to catch fish and squid.

The canvasback is a duck named for the color of its back, thought by early observers to resemble that of canvas sails. The male also sports a striking red head and neck and a black chest, while the female exhibits a more subtle brownish-gray plumage. Known for its exceptional diving capabilities, the canvasback is an adept swimmer.

The red-breasted merganser is a diving duck known for the vibrant red plumage of the male. Agile divers, mergansers propel themselves underwater to catch fish and other aquatic prey.

The spur-winged goose possesses agility both on land and in the air in addition to its impressive air speed, which allows it to migrate over long distances and evade potential predators.

A seabird built for effortless flight with a long wingspan and aerodynamic body, the frigatebird possesses exceptional maneuverability and its speed allows it to effortlessly glide over the ocean, using its keen eyesight to spot fish and other marine prey from above.

The Eurasian hobby, a small but swift falcon species, has a compact body and long, pointed wings. This agile predator primarily feeds on insects and small birds, catching them in mid-air with precision.

The crowned eagle, also known as the African crowned eagle, with its impressive size and strength, is known for being one of the largest and most powerful raptors in Africa. Its wingspan can reach up to six feet, and it possesses sharp talons and a strong beak. The crowned eagle is an apex predator, feeding on a variety of mammals, including monkeys and small antelope.

The Brazilian free-tailed bat is recognized for its impressive flight capabilities and high-speed aerial pursuits. With its streamlined body and elongated wings, it has been clocked at an astounding 100 miles per hour, making it the fastest-flying bat.

Although not as fast as some falcons, the red-tailed hawk exhibits impressive speed when in pursuit of prey. Its speed, coupled with its sharp vision and powerful talons, enables it to swiftly target small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

The gyrfalcon, a powerful bird of prey, is renowned for its impressive speed and aerial prowess. With its large wingspan and muscular build, it can reach incredible speeds during its hunting flights, making it one of the fastest birds in the falcon family. This speed, combined with its sharp talons and exceptional eyesight, makes the gyrfalcon a true master of the skies.

With its broad wingspan and powerful flight muscles, this bird exhibits remarkable agility while soaring through the sky, despite its larger size compared to other hawks. For prey, it targets small mammals and other birds.

The white-throated needletail swift, also known as the spine-tailed swift, is a remarkable bird, holding the title for being the fastest-flying bird in level flight, as opposed to diving for prey. It has a sleek, streamlined body and long, pointed wings.

With its streamlined body and powerful wings, this avian hunter has an agility and quickness that allow it to effortlessly pursue and capture prey in mid-flight. Its name is redundant, as “saker” is an anglicized version of Ṣaqr, the word for “falcon” in Arabic.

The most widely distributed eagle species, the golden eagle has long been highly prized in falconry for its large wingspan and a velocity that allows it to soar through the air with remarkable agility and precision, enabling it to quickly capture its prey.

With swift and precise aerial maneuvers, the peregrine falcon can reach staggering speeds during its high-speed dives, known as stoops, achieving an unparalleled velocity that allows it to chase down prey mid-flight.