The 18 Fastest Birds in the World

The 18 fastest birds in the world make everyone else look sluggish by comparison. Just be glad you’re not a worm.

Peregrine Falcon

This isn’t just one of the fastest birds in the world, it IS the fastest. They’re also the fastest animal on the planet…take that cheetah.

Golden Eagle

Despite being much bigger than a falcon, the golden eagle can still reach incredible speeds. Their method is to hunt down their prey until the unfortunate animal is exhausted.

Gyrfalcon

As the largest falcons in the world, they do have a reputation to live up to, which they do for the most part. Just imagine watching something like this diving for a snack.

Frigate Bird

This would be a nightmare from above for a fish or a squid. But even better, these birds can fly for about a week without stopping.

Red-Breasted Merganser

You wouldn’t think of a duck as a fast flyer, would you? But these diving ducks can build up an impressive amount of speed.

Gray Headed Albatross

This is another bird that doesn’t touch down much thanks to the powerful muscles that keep it aloft. They’re also adept at using the wind currents to keep going.

Canvasback

Speed is kind of necessary during migration, and these ducks use this strength very effectively. Despite their smaller size, they can cruise.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

It’s no secret that hummingbirds move quickly. If we were talking about beats per second when moving your wings, the hummingbird would reign supreme.

Red-Tailed Hawk

Birds of prey can’t afford to be slow, since they’d starve if that were the case. They aren’t quick compared to many birds, but when their wings are tucked in a dive, it’s like watching a feathered missile drop to the ground.

Eurasian Hobby

Falcons are kind of creepy when it comes to watching them hunt. They’re like guided missiles when they see something to eat.

White-Throated Needletail

Also known as a Stormbird, these impressive swifts will move quickly during a level flight. Diving is not a part of their repertoire.

Spur Winged Goose

Who would think of a goose as being fast? This one can reach a good clip though, and it’s the largest goose in the world.

Common Swift

It’s interesting to think that these birds are fairly speedy most of the time. But when mating season comes along they get a little quicker. Take that as you will.

Saker Falcon

You might not have heard of these falcons, but considering that they’re endangered it’s understandable. Like any other falcon though, they’re good at what they do.

Ostrich

So yes, running and flying are very different. But hey, speed is speed.

Greater Rhea

Safety in numbers is the name of the game for this bird. They’re a little slower than the ostrich, but not much.

Emu

Two-legged birds can run, there’s no doubt about that. But despite being prey for dingoes they can run like the wind if they need to.

Gentoo Penguin

Yep, switching gears again since swimming is different from both flying and running. But watching a penguin glide through the water is amazing, and they’re rather quick when they do it.