Who is the fastest (1 Viewer)

Ian Smith

Well-known member

• Jun 20, 2005

• #1

Hello
I believe that the Peregrine is the fastest in a dive. So which bird is the fastest in level flight? :t:
Ian S

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Jun 20, 2005

• #2

Probably wrong, but would hazard a guess at one of the Swifts, perhaps Needletail?

Or, of course, whichever bird is just front of the Peregrine hurtling towards it!

 

Steve

Member

Staff member

• Jun 20, 2005

• #3

Red breasted Merganser can crack on a bit I believe ?

 

birdman

Орнитол&

• Jun 20, 2005

• #4

Jos's answer sounds good, but I'm (sort of) with Steve on this one.

I understand ducks are pretty damn quick in level flight, and the humble Mallard can crack on at around 70mph.

 

A

alcedo.atthis

Well-known member

• Jun 20, 2005

• #5

"I believe that the Peregrine is the fastest in a dive. So which bird is the fastest in level flight?"

Ian, different sources state different things.

Source (1) Fastest level flight, Canvasback Duck/Teal.
Source (2) Spinetail Swift 106 mph 171 kmh. (No flight status given)
Merganser 100 mph 161 kmh. (No flight status given)
Canvasback Duck 72 mph 116 kmh (Level flight)
Teal 60 mph 96.5 kmh. (Level flight)
Source (3) The Red-breasted merganser, the Eider, the Canvasback and the Spur-winged Goose can all reach 62mph 100kmh in level flight.

But the Canvasback Duck seems to be mentioned in all.

Regards

Malky

 

E

Edward woodwood

Member

• Jun 20, 2005

• #6

White-throated Needletails are the only birds i ever had pass over me and had trouble getting onto cos they were THAT fast. Blink and you miss them!

cracking birds

Tim

 

Ian Smith

Well-known member

• Jun 23, 2005

• #7

Thanks all for your replies, so it looks like the ducks "The Daddy"
Or is it the one in front of the Peregrine!!
Regards Ian S

 

samuel walker

It's OK to be a little blue........

• Jun 23, 2005

• #8

The merlin is the fastest bird in level flight reaching as speed og 100 MPH. My guess at the above listed redbreasted merganser is about 50 MPH or slightly faster than a Canada goose
Sam

 

C

cuddy

Brian Robson

• Jun 23, 2005

• #9

Read an article that claimed the Eider duck was the fastest, have no way of proving it of but its interesting that a number of wildfowl are named.



Cuddy

 

Hotspur

James Spencer

• Jun 24, 2005

• #10

Read that someone did research into the biometrics of flying animals and in level flight eiders had the highest "potential" speed. Never witnessed at this speed but i believe it is around 75 miles/h. Fastest recorded are various types of swifts at about 150mph with BBBIIIIGGGG wind assistance.

 

E

Edward woodwood

Member

• Jun 24, 2005

• #11

yes James

I believe it's a WT Needletail as i mentioned earlier

I can vouch they shift a bit quicker than a Eider or Merg.

Tim

 

bubo bubo

Member

• Jun 24, 2005

• #12

Hi Ian, it's belived the peregrine's larger brother, the Gyrfalcon, is very fast in level flight. Unlike the peregrine, it uses mostly straight flight hunting methods- the only raptor able to overtake a duck with complete ease. I don't know it's recorded speed (or, if it's the fastest), but i know if it's hungry it can catch any of the mentioned birds.