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Peregrine falcon

320 km/h

Fastest animal, in a hunting dive (about 200 mph)

Estimated Speed · Verified 2026-10-27 · WWV-AN-002

When a peregrine folds its wings and drops on prey, the dive (called a stoop) is estimated to reach about 320 km/h. In ordinary level flight it is far slower, nearer 70 mph at its best.

Dive speeds are hard to measure in the wild. Some sources quote higher single readings, but 200 mph is the figure Guinness uses.

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