No, a hummingbird is not faster than a peregrine falcon. While hummingbirds are incredibly fast for their size and have impressive maneuverability, especially during flight and hovering, the peregrine falcon holds the title of the fastest bird.
At a Glance
Speed of a Hummingbird
Who is faster hummingbird or peregrine falcon? Hummingbirds are known for being small, agile, and super fast for their size.
The Anna’s hummingbird, one of the fastest types, can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour when diving during courtship displays. This is incredibly impressive for such a tiny bird!
In everyday flight, most hummingbirds fly around 20-30 miles per hour. What’s even cooler is that they can hover in place, beating their wings about 50-80 times per second.
That’s what gives them the ability to fly backwards, sideways, and hover in mid-air while feeding on nectar.
But even though they are quick and agile, hummingbirds don’t hold the record for the fastest bird.
Speed of a Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is an amazing hunter and holds the title for the fastest animal on Earth. When it’s hunting, the falcon climbs high into the air and then dives toward its prey in a special hunting maneuver called a stoop.
During this dive a Peregrine Falcon can reach speeds of 240 miles per hour (386 km/h) or more! This makes it much faster than any other bird, including the hummingbird.
In regular, level flight, peregrine falcons aren’t as fast as they are in a dive. When flying normally, they reach speeds of around 40-60 miles per hour, which is still faster than a hummingbird’s typical flying speed.
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Why the Difference in Speed?
The difference in speed between the two birds has a lot to do with their size, body shape, and what they need to do to survive.
Hummingbirds are tiny and need to move quickly and precisely to feed on nectar from flowers. They are built for short, quick movements rather than long-distance speed.
On the other hand, peregrine falcons are larger and more powerful. They have evolved to be fast predators, hunting other birds in mid-flight. Their streamlined bodies and long wings help them dive at incredible speeds to catch their prey.
List of birds who have close speed like them
Here’s a list of birds that are known for their incredible speed, many of which come close to or rival each other in different flight maneuvers:
1. Golden Eagle
Top Speed: Around 150-200 miles per hour (240-320 km/h) in a dive.
Description: Another fast raptor, the golden eagle is known for its powerful dives when hunting, though it’s slightly slower than the peregrine falcon.
2. Gyrfalcon
Top Speed: Around 130 miles per hour (209 km/h) in a dive.
Description: The largest falcon species, the gyrfalcon also dives at high speeds, making it a fierce hunter.
3. Common Swift
Top Speed: Around 70 miles per hour (113 km/h) in level flight.
Description: The common swift is one of the fastest birds in sustained, level flight. Unlike raptors that rely on dives, swifts maintain their speed over long distances.
4. White-Throated Needletail (formerly known as the Spine-Tailed Swift)
Top Speed: Up to 105 miles per hour (169 km/h) in level flight.
Description: This swift species holds the record for the fastest bird in level flight, flying faster than most birds without needing to dive.
5. Red-Breasted Merganser
Top Speed: Around 80 miles per hour (129 km/h) in level flight.
Description: This duck species is one of the fastest waterfowl, known for its rapid flight speed when migrating or evading predators.
6. Frigatebird
Top Speed: Around 95 miles per hour (153 km/h) in level flight.
Description: Frigatebirds are exceptional flyers and can cover vast distances at high speeds, often gliding with minimal wing flapping.
7. Gray-Headed Albatross
Top Speed: Up to 80 miles per hour (129 km/h) when soaring.
Description: Known for its long-distance flying ability, the gray-headed albatross uses wind currents to maintain high speeds over the ocean.
8. Rock Dove (Pigeon)
Top Speed: Around 90 miles per hour (145 km/h) in level flight.
Description: Though common, pigeons are surprisingly fast flyers and can reach impressive speeds, especially during races or when startled.
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Final Thought on Their Speeds
So, while hummingbirds are incredibly fast for their size and have some amazing abilities (like hovering and flying backwards), they aren’t faster than peregrine falcons.
The peregrine falcon’s ability to dive at speeds over 240 miles per hour makes it the fastest bird—and the fastest animal—in the world.
Both birds are impressive in their own ways, but when it comes to raw speed, the peregrine falcon takes the crown.
