Birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet, and their speed is one of the most impressive things about them. From the peregrine falcon, the fastest bird in the world, to the greater roadrunner, the fastest running bird on foot in North America, there are many birds that can reach incredible speeds.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 fastest birds in the US and where you can find them. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just curious about these amazing creatures, you won’t want to miss this list.
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Top 10 Fastest Birds In The U.S.
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour during its characteristic hunting stoop. This bird is widely distributed, with breeding populations on every continent except Antarctica and many oceanic islands.
Peregrines inhabit rocky open country near water where birds are plentiful, and they usually nest on a ledge high on a cliff. They are strong and fast, hunting by flying high and then diving at their prey with clenched talons, killing by impact. Their prey includes ducks and a wide variety of songbirds and shorebirds.
The Peregrine Falcon is a very fast flier, averaging 40-55 km/h (25-34 mph) in traveling flight, and reaching speeds up to 112 km/h (69 mph) in direct pursuit of prey. They are sexually dimorphic, with females being considerably larger than males.
After significant recovery efforts, Peregrine Falcons have made an incredible rebound and are now regularly seen in many large cities and coastal areas.
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the largest, fastest, and most nimble raptors in North America. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes, and they have broad, long wings with somewhat finger-like indentations on the tips. They are one of the most widely distributed species of eagle, found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
The North American Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) occupies the species’ entire range in North America, which comprises the great majority of Alaska, western Canada, Western United States, and Mexico.
Golden Eagles are typically found alone or in pairs, and it is believed that they are monogamous, mating for life. They defend their territory against other Golden Eagles and are known to hunt prey cooperatively during the breeding season.
These birds are carnivores that prey mainly on small mammals, such as hares, rabbits, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and marmots, but they are also known to kill larger mammals like seals, mountain goats, coyotes, badgers, and bobcats. They have even been known to attack full-grown deer.
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Golden Eagles use their speed and sharp talons to snatch up their prey, and they have been clocked diving at speeds close to 200 miles per hour. Although capable of killing large prey, the Golden Eagle subsists primarily on rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels. These birds are less of a scavenger and more of a predator than the Bald Eagle.
Golden Eagles are widespread in the wilder country of North America, Europe, and Asia, and they are protected by law.
Gyrfalcon
The Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest falcon species in the world and a bird of prey that breeds on Arctic coasts and tundra, and the islands of northern North America and the Eurosiberian region.
Here are some key facts about the Gyrfalcon:
– The Gyrfalcon is a very polymorphic species, so its plumage varies greatly. The archetypal morphs are called “white”, “silver”, “brown”, and “black”, though they can be colored on a spectrum from all-white to very dark.
– Gyrfalcons are very large falcons, with pointed wings, but they are not as pointed or as narrow as the wings of smaller falcons. The tail is relatively long, and the body is thick and powerful, particularly in females, which are substantially larger than males.
– These birds are fierce predators in the High Arctic, where they chase down ptarmigans in flight or plummet from the sky at breathtaking speeds to strike prey to the ground.
– Gyrfalcons are used to perching on the ground, so they can be found standing at rest or sheltering next to a rock or shrub.
– They are rare winter visitors to open habitats in the northern United States.
– Gyrfalcons have long associated with humans, and they have been highly regarded by falconers throughout falconry’s history.
Overall, the Gyrfalcon is an impressive bird of prey that inhabits some of the most remote and inhospitable regions of the world.
White-throated Needletail
The White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) is a large swift that breeds in Central Asia and southern Siberia and winters in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Here are some key facts about the White-throated Needletail:
– The White-throated Needletail is also known as the needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift.
– It is a rare vagrant in Western Europe and has been recorded as far west as Norway, Sweden, and Great Britain.
– White-throated Needletails are large swifts with a robust, barrel-like body. They measure about 20 cm and weigh between 110 and 120 grams.
– They are greyish-brown except for a white throat and a white patch extending from the base of the tail to the flanks.
– The White-throated Needletail is reputed to reach speeds of up to 170 km/h in horizontal flight, but this is unverified because the methods used to measure their speed are unreliable.
– They are able to fly at speeds of up to 130 km per hour.
– The White-throated Needletail is an aerial bird, and for a time, it was commonly believed that they did not land while in Australia.
– They are a powerful-looking swift with long saber-shaped wings and a bullet-shaped body. The only swift in its range that combines a clean white throat and smooth.
– The White-throated Needletail is predominantly dark, with a white throat, forehead, and undertail coverts.
Overall, the White-throated Needletail is an impressive bird that is known for its speed and aerial abilities. While it is a rare sight in many parts of the world, it is a fascinating species that is worth learning more about.
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies.
Here are some key facts about the Red-tailed Hawk:
Identification:
– Red-tailed Hawks are large hawks with typical Buteo proportions: very broad, rounded wings, and a short, wide tail.
– Large females seen from a distance might fool you into thinking you’re seeing an eagle.
– The Red-tailed is the second-largest Buteo hawk in North America, after Ferruginous Hawk.
– The male Red-tailed Hawk measures between 17.7-22.1 inches in length, weighs between 24.3-45.9 ounces, and has a wingspan of 44.9-52.4 inches. The female Red-tailed Hawk measures between 19.7-25.6 inches in length, weighs between 31.8-51.5 ounces, and has a wingspan of 44.9-52.4 inches.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Red-tailed Hawks are the most common roadside raptor across much of North America and are often seen perching atop telephone poles, light posts, and edges of trees.
– They are bulky and broad-winged, designed for effortless soaring, and inhabit open country, woodlands, prairie groves, mountains, plains, roadsides, and any kind of terrain that provides both some open ground for hunting and some high perches.
– Red-tailed Hawks are sit-and-wait predators and generally require elevated perch sites for hunting. They feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
– The Red-tailed Hawk has a thrilling, raspy scream that sounds exactly like a raptor should sound.
Conservation Status:
– Red-tailed Hawks are widespread and common, and their numbers are stable or still increasing in several regions of North America.
American Kestrel
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. Here are some key facts about the American Kestrel:
Identification:
– The American Kestrel is a small, colorful bird of prey that is about the size of a Mourning Dove.
– They have a roughly two-to-one range in size over subspecies and sex, varying in size from about the weight of a blue jay to a mourning dove.
– The male American Kestrel measures between 8.7-12.2 inches in length, weighs between 2.8-5.8 ounces, and has a wingspan of 20.1-24.0 inches. The female American Kestrel measures between 9.8-12.8 inches in length, weighs between 3.8-7.7 ounces, and has a wingspan of 21.6-24.0 inches.
Habitat and Behavior:
– American Kestrels are found throughout most of North America, Central America, and South America.
– They are most easily spotted perched on power lines as they scan for dinner, bobbing their tails occasionally.
– American Kestrels are opportunistic hunters that forage in open areas with short vegetation. The species is primarily a “sit-and-wait” perch-hunter, and elevated perches that afford a good view of the surrounding area are preferred.
– They feed on insects, small mammals, and birds, and they are known to hover over open fields to watch for prey.
– American Kestrels are a common bird used in falconry, especially by beginners. Though not as strong a flyer as many other, larger falcons, proper training and weight control by the falconer allows many American Kestrels to become effective hunters of birds in the size range of sparrows and starlings, with occasional success against birds up to approximately twice their own weight.
Conservation Status:
– American Kestrels are widespread and common, and their numbers are stable or still increasing in several regions of North America.
Northern Goshawk
The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a large bird of prey and the largest and bulkiest of the accipiters. Here are some key facts about the Northern Goshawk:
Identification:
– Northern Goshawks have broad, rounded wings and long tails.
– They are large hawks, with males measuring between 20-23 inches in length, weighing between 22-48 ounces, and having a wingspan of 40-46 inches. Females are larger, measuring between 22-25 inches in length, weighing between 32-67 ounces, and having a wingspan of 44-50 inches.
– They are brown-gray to slate-gray on the back and wings, with a darker crown and a lighter nape. The underparts are white with fine, dark streaks.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Northern Goshawks are found in forests throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, including in North America and Eurasia.
– They are powerful predators that hunt birds and mammals, including other birds of prey.
– Northern Goshawks are known for their agility and speed, and they are capable of flying through dense forests in pursuit of prey.
– They are territorial birds that defend their nests aggressively against other birds and mammals.
– Northern Goshawks are monogamous and mate for life.
Conservation Status:
– Northern Goshawks are uncommon across much of their range, but their populations are stable or increasing in some areas.
Prairie Falcon
The Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) is a medium-large sized falcon that is native to western North America. Here are some key facts about the Prairie Falcon:
Identification:
– Prairie Falcons are about the size of a Peregrine Falcon or a crow, with an average length of 40 cm (16 in), wingspan of approximately 1 meter (40 in), and average weight of 720 g (1.6 lb).
– They are pale brown above and white below, with dark streaks and a prominent mustache.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Prairie Falcons are found in dry, open areas in western North America, including shrubby deserts and grasslands.
– They are mainly solitary and are only found in pairs during the breeding season.
– Prairie Falcons are opportunistic hunters that feed on a wide range of both mammal and bird prey.
– They are efficient and agile hunters that use shallow, stiff wing beats to fly.
Conservation Status:
– The population of Prairie Falcons is believed to be stable, although they have undoubtedly declined in some developed areas.
Merlin
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The Merlin (Falco columbarius) is a small species of falcon from the Northern Hemisphere, with numerous subspecies throughout North America and Eurasia. Here are some key facts about the Merlin:
Identification:
– Merlins are small, compact, and fast-flying falcons, with long, pointed wings and a long, heavily barred tail.
– Male Merlins have slaty blue, purplish, or dark umber-brown upper parts, streaked with black from the crown to shoulders and back. The tail is barred by dark bands and has a white tip.
– Female Merlins are larger than males and have brown upper parts with dark streaks.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Merlins are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and saltmarshes.
– They are opportunistic hunters that feed on small birds and mammals.
– Merlins are powerful fliers that use surprise attacks to bring down their prey.
– They are increasingly common around towns and cities, where they feed on House Sparrows.
Conservation Status:
– Merlin populations have largely recovered from twentieth-century declines, thanks to a ban on the pesticide DDT and their ability to adapt to life around towns and cities.
Greater Roadrunner
The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family that is native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico.
Here are some key facts about the Greater Roadrunner:
Identification:
– Greater Roadrunners are about two feet in length, with speckled brown and black feathers on their back and wings and a lighter throat and chest with dark streaks.
– They have a bushy blue-black crest and mottled plumage that blends well with dusty shrubs.
– As they run, they hold their lean frames nearly parallel to the ground and rudder with their long tails.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Greater Roadrunners are found in arid grasslands and low deserts throughout the Southwestern United States and Mexico.
– They are opportunistic hunters that feed on lizards, snakes, mice, and birds.
– Greater Roadrunners are known for their speed and agility, and they can outrun humans and kill rattlesnakes.
– They are usually found along quiet roads in open country, darting out of shrub cover or across a road.
– Greater Roadrunners are ground birds that are often seen running along the ground, but they can also fly short distances.
Conservation Status:
– The Greater Roadrunner is not considered threatened, and its populations are stable.
FAQS
1. What is the fastest bird in the US?
The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the US, and in fact, the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour during its characteristic hunting stoop.
2. What is the smallest falcon in North America?
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America.
3. Where can I find the Greater Roadrunner?
Greater Roadrunners are found in arid grasslands and low deserts throughout the Southwestern United States and Mexico.
4. What is the largest falcon in the world?
The Gyrfalcon is the largest falcon in the world.
5. What is the habitat of the Prairie Falcon?
Prairie Falcons are found in dry, open areas in western North America, including shrubby deserts and grasslands.
6. What is the speed of the Northern Goshawk?
Northern Goshawks are powerful predators that hunt birds and mammals, including other birds of prey. However, their speed is not as impressive as some of the other birds on this list.
7. What is the speed of the Greater Roadrunner?
The Greater Roadrunner is the fastest land bird in North America, with a usual pace of 20 mph and a top speed of about 26 mph.
8. What is the speed of the White-throated Needletail?
The White-throated Needletail is reputed to reach speeds of up to 170 km/h in horizontal flight, but this is unverified because the methods used to measure their speed are unreliable.
9. What is the speed of the Red-tailed Hawk?
While the Red-tailed Hawk can only achieve conventional flying speeds of about 20 to 40 mph, it can dive down at speeds of more than 120 mph when it spots prey.
10. What is the speed of the American Kestrel?
American Kestrels are small, colorful birds of prey that are about the size of a Mourning Dove. They are not the fastest birds on this list, but they are agile hunters that use surprise attacks to bring down their prey.
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Category: Birds
