The average flight speed of birds is 40-60 kilometers per hour. Which bird flies the fastest? It is not so simple to answer this question - it’s difficult to pinpoint the time that the birds spend to overcome the given path, and the data of scientists are different from each other. However, all sources agree that no other bird, like an animal, can overtake a peregrine falcon. During hunting and defense, this predator picks up speed in excess of 300 km / h!
Characteristic signs
Peregrine Falcon is a bird of the falcon family. There are 18 species that differ from each other in color and habitat. The predator is comparable in size to a crow, its length is on average 50 cm. The wingspan is more than a meter. Powerful chest with pronounced muscles, strong fingers with rounded thick claws, a short bent beak. The ends of the long tail and wings are sharp, which allows the bird to deftly maneuver. The back, wings and head of a bird are dark in color, the belly is light. A characteristic external difference is the dark stripes at the beak, reminiscent of a mustache.
Females reach 1.5 kg of weight and are much larger than representatives of the strong half. The weight of males does not exceed 800 g. Differences in color are not observed among heterosexual representatives of this species. Peregrine Falcon is hardly a songbird. Usually, the sharp and loud voice of a predator can be heard during the mating season or serious anxiety.
At what speed does the fastest bird fly ? The usual speed of a peregrine Falcon is limited to an average of 130 km / h. During an attack on prey or defending its territory, a predator dives at a speed of about 330 km / h.
Habitat
The falcon is undemanding to climatic conditions, therefore the area of its distribution is limited only to Antarctica. It is found both in the hot tropics and in the cold lands. In the wild, peregrine falcons make nests in places inaccessible to humans. He especially loves rocky and mountainous areas.
In the forest thickets, the predator prefers to settle in the hollows of trees or high above the ground, evicting the previous inhabitants from the dwelling. An important condition for the survival of peregrine falcons is the presence of a reservoir near the nest. Some individuals prefer urban conditions. So, in the USA, peregrine falcons settle on the roofs of cathedrals and high-rise buildings.
Today in Russia there are about 5 thousand individuals, which is relatively less than several decades ago. Therefore, the Red Book bird is under state protection.
Lifestyle
Answering the question of which bird flies the fastest, ornithologists began to study the lifestyle of champions, so that a curious layman can learn many interesting facts about the life of peregrine falcons. It turns out that these predators are real conservatives!
Falcons lead a sedentary lifestyle. Their territories are inherited and belong to the same family for several generations. It is interesting that peregrine falcons prefer to nest from their brethren at a considerable distance - about 2-5 km. Birds protect their possessions aggressively and actively, fearlessly attacking even such large enemies as the eagle or the crow. When a person appears, predators behave uneasily, circle above their heads, cry out loudly.
Feathered monogamous. Their pairs are formed for several years. The female lays eggs once a year and hatches them together with the future father of the family. Hatched chicks are completely helpless. They can fly only a month and a half after the birth.
Nutrition
Most small birds know firsthand which bird flies the fastest and mercilessly attacks, because they make up the majority of the peregrine falcon's diet. Since the winged predator usually hunts in flight, sparrows, pigeons, larks, and blackbirds become its prey. However, the predator does not disdain mammals: hares, mice, hamsters, squirrels. Sometimes he can enjoy even insects or frogs.
Peregrine falcons hunt in pairs. Having discovered prey, the predator rapidly gains height and falls on the prey. At this moment he is gaining maximum speed. The blow is so strong that often the falcon trophy falls apart.
The feathered catch delivers to the nest, where it deals with it. Unlike most other predators, the falcon eats only the body of prey. Over time, numerous bone remains of victims accumulate around peregrine falcon nests.
Bird Records
Ornithologists managed not only to find out which bird flies the fastest, but also to identify the fastest running bird. It turned out to be an ostrich, which picks up speed up to 70 km / h, despite its impressive size and considerable weight.
A famous diver is a penguin. In addition, the inhabitant of Antarctica is able to compete with the best swimmers - in the water, the clumsy and awkward polar inhabitant picks up speed up to 30 km / h.
Which bird flies faster and higher than all? There is no definite answer to this question. Usually, predators take off above all, since it is more convenient for them to look for a victim from a height. History knows of cases where migratory birds rose so high that they collided with airliners. Among them, migratory swans and a vulture (vulture) were noted.
Which bird flies the fastest on a horizontal trajectory? Here the leading position is swift. Its speed reaches 140 km / h, while the peregrine falcon during a period of calm moves no faster than 70 km / h.