A peregrine falcon is one of the fastest animals when diving toward prey.

The longer version

In a stoop the falcon partly folds its wings into a narrow spike and lets gravity do the work, so drag falls while acceleration climbs. The pointed wings, stiff feathers and compact body all reduce resistance, and the bird steers with small tail movements rather than by flapping.

Speed brings its own problems. A small bony tubercle in the nostril slows the airflow so the lungs are not damaged, and a third eyelid clears and moistens the eye surface. Reported dive speeds are high but awkward to measure honestly, so published figures vary a great deal between studies.

Where this entry sits

Here you will find feathered trivia about flight, migration, nests, eggs, and the songs birds sing. Expect short surprising facts on penguins, owls, hummingbirds, and other familiar birds from gardens, forests, wetlands, and distant coastlines. The full list sits on the Birds page, where every entry is listed in order.