Fastest Bird in the World - List of Top 10 (with Pictures)
by Surya
Updated Apr 07, 2023
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Fastest Bird in the World
Birds are a group of endothermic vertebrates that possess certain unique characteristics, such as feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong but lightweight skeleton. This article will present a list of the top 10 fastest birds in the world, along with their maximum speed in kilometers per hour and some noteworthy facts that can help expand the general knowledge of the readers.
Birds are a class of endothermic vertebrates distinguished by features such as feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong, lightweight skeleton. The ostrich is an example of a flightless bird, standing at nine feet tall, while the bee hummingbird, measuring just two inches in length, is the smallest bird in the world.
Top 10 Fastest Bird in the World
You can find the top 10 fastest birds in the world, in the table provided below:
Rank
Name of the Birds
Max Speed
1
Peregrine Falcon
389 km/h
2
Golden Eagle
240–320 km/h
3
White-throated Needletail
169 km/h
4
Eurasian Hobby
160 km/h
5
Frigatebird
153 km/h
6
Spur-winged Goose
142 km/h
7
Red-breasted Merganser
129 km/h
8
Rock dove (Pigeon)
148.9 km/h
9
Grey-headed Albatross
127 km/h
10
Anna's Hummingbird
98.27 km/h
Which Bird Flies the Fastest?
10. Anna's Hummingbird (98.27 km/h)
Anna's hummingbird is a species of hummingbird found along the western coast of North America, from southern Alaska to northern Baja California in Mexico. They are named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli.
Anna's hummingbirds are known for their iridescent green feathers on their back and head, which can appear black or bronze in certain lighting. Male Anna's hummingbirds have bright pinkish-red feathers on their throats, called gorgets, which they use to attract mates during breeding season. Females have a greenish-gray throat.
These hummingbirds are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including coastal scrub, gardens, and parks. They feed on nectar from flowers and also eat insects and spiders for protein. Anna's hummingbirds are able to hover in mid-air while feeding and can fly backwards and upside down.
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9. Grey-headed Albatross (127 km/h)
The grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) is a large seabird that is part of the albatross family. It is found in the southern oceans around Antarctica and is named for its distinctive grey head and neck.
Grey-headed albatrosses are one of the largest of the mollymawk albatrosses, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). They are mostly white, with a grey head and neck, and black-tipped wings. They have a long, narrow, hooked beak that is perfect for catching fish and squid in the ocean.
These albatrosses are known for their long-distance migrations, which can take them from their breeding colonies on subantarctic islands to the waters around Antarctica and South America. They are also known for their monogamous mating habits and long breeding cycles, with pairs returning to the same nesting site every two years to rear their chicks.
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8. Rock Dove (148.9 km/h)
The rock dove, also known as the common pigeon (Columba livia), is a bird species that is found in urban and rural areas throughout the world. It is a member of the dove and pigeon family, Columbidae.
Rock doves have a plump body, short neck, and small head. They are typically 29-37 cm (11-14.5 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 62-72 cm (24-28 inches). They have a distinctive grey-blue plumage with two black bars on their wings, and a greenish iridescence on their necks.
These birds are known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in urban environments. They are often found in parks, city squares, and on buildings, where they nest on ledges and other flat surfaces. They feed on a variety of foods, including seeds, fruit, and insects.
Rock doves are also used for racing and for meat in some cultures. They have been domesticated and bred for various purposes, including as messenger pigeons and for their colorful plumage.
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7. Red-breasted Merganser (129 km/h)
The red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) is a diving duck species that is found in the Northern Hemisphere. It is named for the reddish-brown breast feathers of the male bird. Red-breasted mergansers have a long, thin, serrated beak that is adapted for catching fish, their primary food source. They are also known for their long, slender bodies, with males reaching lengths of up to 58 cm (23 inches) and females up to 51 cm (20 inches). Their plumage is mainly grey, black, and white, with the male having a distinctive green head and reddish-brown breast.
These ducks breed in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia, and migrate south for the winter. They are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Red-breasted mergansers form pair bonds during the breeding season, and males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract a mate. Females build nests in concealed locations near water, and lay 6-8 eggs per clutch.
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6. Spur-winged Goose (142 km/h)
The spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is a large waterbird that is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is named for the spur-like projections on its wings, which are used for fighting during mating season.
Spur-winged geese are typically 75-100 cm (30-40 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 150-200 cm (60-80 inches). They have dark brown feathers with white patches on their wings and a distinctive pink beak with a black tip. Both males and females have spurs on their wings, although those of the males tend to be larger.
These geese are found in a variety of habitats, including wetlands, lakes, and rivers. They feed on grasses, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates.
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5. Frigatebird (153 km/h)
The frigatebirds are a group of seabirds in the family Fregatidae. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their distinctive long wings, forked tails, and ability to stay aloft for long periods of time without flapping their wings.
There are five species of frigatebirds, including the magnificent frigatebird, the great frigatebird, the lesser frigatebird, the Christmas Island frigatebird, and the Ascension Island frigatebird. They are typically 80-110 cm (31-43 inches) in length, with a wingspan of up to 245 cm (96 inches).
Frigatebirds are known for their aerial acrobatics, which include soaring, diving, and hovering in mid-air. They feed mainly on fish, which they catch by swooping down from the air and snatching from the surface of the water. They are also known to steal food from other seabirds, such as gulls and terns.
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4. Eurasian Hobby (160 km/h)
The Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo) is a small migratory falcon that breeds in Europe and Asia and winters in Africa. It is named for its fast and agile hunting style, which resembles that of a hobby horse, a child's toy horse that is ridden by bouncing up and down.
Eurasian hobbies are about the size of a kestrel, measuring 28-36 cm (11-14 inches) in length and weighing 150-300 grams (5-11 ounces). They have long, pointed wings and a short, hooked beak. Their plumage is mainly dark grey-brown, with a lighter underside and reddish-brown thighs. They have a distinctive black "moustache" mark on their face.
These falcons feed mainly on insects, such as dragonflies and beetles, but will also take small birds and mammals. They are known for their fast and agile flight, which enables them to catch prey on the wing. Eurasian hobbies breed in open woodland, forests, and other wooded habitats. They build their nests in tree cavities or on cliff ledges, and females lay 2-4 eggs per clutch. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
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3. White-throated Needletail (169 km/h)
The white-throated needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) is a fast-flying bird that is known for its remarkable speed and agility in flight. It is a member of the swift family and is found in parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The white-throated needletail has a distinctive appearance, with a large head, short neck, and broad wings. It is predominantly black, with a white throat and undertail coverts. It has a short, forked tail, which gives it its common name. It is one of the fastest birds in the world, capable of flying at speeds of up to 170 km/h (105 mph).
These birds feed on insects, which they catch on the wing. They are particularly fond of flying termites and can be seen in large flocks during termite swarms. They are also known to catch other insects, such as beetles, moths, and flies.
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2. Golden Eagle (240–320 km/h)
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a large bird of prey that is found in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is one of the best-known and most widely distributed eagles, and is the national bird of several countries, including Mexico, Austria, and Kazakhstan.
Golden eagles are powerful predators, with broad wings and a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters (8 feet). They have a distinctive golden-brown plumage on their head and neck, and a dark brown plumage on the rest of their body. They have a sharp, hooked beak and powerful talons, which they use to catch and kill their prey. These eagles feed mainly on small mammals, such as rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels, but will also take birds and reptiles. They are opportunistic hunters and will scavenge on carrion when food is scarce.
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1. Peregrine Falcon (389 km/h)
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a large bird of prey that is found all over the world, except for Antarctica. It is known for its speed and agility in flight and is one of the fastest animals on the planet.
Peregrine falcons have a distinctive appearance, with a blue-grey back, a white or cream-colored underside, and black markings on their head and wings. They have short, curved beaks and sharp talons, which they use to catch and kill their prey. They are also known for their incredibly fast diving speed, which can exceed 320 km/h (200 mph) when they stoop to catch their prey.
These falcons feed mainly on other birds, such as pigeons, doves, and waterfowl, but will also take small mammals and insects. They hunt by flying high above their prey and then diving at great speeds to catch them in mid-air.
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What is the Fastest Flying Bird in the World?
The peregrine falcon, also known as Falco peregrinus, is a widely distributed bird of prey that can be found on every continent except Antarctica. This bird is highly admired for its speed, power, and agility in flight, and is considered one of the fastest animals on Earth.
Peregrine falcons are characterized by their distinctive appearance. They have a blue-grey back and a white or cream-colored underside with black markings on their head and wings. Their short, curved beaks and sharp talons are specially adapted for catching and killing prey. One of the most impressive features of the peregrine falcon is its incredible speed during a dive. These birds can reach speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph) when they stoop to catch their prey.
While their high-speed dive is the most famous hunting tactic of the peregrine falcon, they also use other hunting techniques. They fly high above their prey, searching for potential targets, and then swoop down to catch them in mid-air. They feed mainly on other birds, such as pigeons, doves, and waterfowl, but will also take small mammals and insects.
Due to their incredible speed and power, peregrine falcons are highly sought after for falconry, a sport that involves training birds of prey to hunt for humans. In the past, the peregrine falcon was also heavily persecuted by humans, leading to a decline in their population. However, conservation efforts have helped to protect and restore their populations, and today they can be found in many urban and wild habitats around the world.
Top 10 Fastest Birds in the world - FAQs
Birds are unique in their possession of feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong but lightweight skeleton. These features distinguish them from other animals and allow them to fly and thrive in a variety of environments.
The peregrine falcon is considered the fastest bird in the world, with recorded speeds of over 389 km/h (242 mph) during a dive. Other fast-flying birds include the golden eagle, gyrfalcon, and white-throated needletail.
While many bird species are capable of flight, there are some that are flightless. These include the ostrich, emu, kiwi, and penguin. Flightless birds have adapted to their environments in other ways, such as running, swimming, or burrowing.
Female birds have a specialized reproductive system that allows them to lay eggs. The eggs are formed in the ovary and then travel through the oviduct where they are fertilized by the male's sperm. The egg is then coated in a hard shell and laid through the cloaca, which is an opening in the bird's body used for excretion and reproduction.
A bird's beak, also known as a bill, serves a variety of purposes depending on the species. Some birds use their beak to crack open seeds or nuts, while others use it to catch and tear apart prey. Certain birds, like hummingbirds, use their long, slender beak to reach deep into flowers to extract nectar. The shape and size of a bird's beak is typically related to its diet and lifestyle.