Hummingbirds and falcons are both incredible birds known for their speed and agility in flight. But which of these birds is actually faster? There are a few key factors to consider when comparing the airspeed velocity of hummingbirds versus falcons.
Wingspan and Body Size
In general, larger birds with bigger wingspans can fly faster than smaller birds. Falcons have much larger bodies and wingspans compared to hummingbirds. The wingspan of a peregrine falcon ranges from about 3 to 4 feet, while a hummingbird’s wingspan is only about 3 to 5 inches. The larger surface area of a falcon’s wings provides more push and power to obtain higher speeds.
Diving Speed
When diving or stooping to catch prey, peregrine falcons are among the fastest animals on Earth. Peregrines can reach speeds over 200 mph when diving, but only for very short bursts. This makes them the fastest-moving creatures on the planet. Hummingbirds cannot come close to matching the diving speed of a peregrine.
Level Flight Speed
In normal level flight, hummingbirds can beat their wings up to 80 times per second. This allows them to fly faster than falcons during normal, sustained flight. Tiny hummingbirds can reach 30 to 50 mph in level flight. Large peregrine falcons fly between 40 to 60 mph in level flight.
Fastest Hummingbird VS Fastest Falcon
The fastest hummingbird, the Cuban bee hummingbird, reaches speeds around 27 mph. The fastest falcon, the peregrine, can attain level flight speeds around 69 mph.
So while tiny hummingbirds can beat their wings faster and accelerate rapidly, large powerful falcons like the peregrine are still able to fly faster in their typical motion. The peregrine falcon’s high-speed diving ability sets it apart as the fastest bird on Earth.
Flight Styles and Techniques
Hummingbirds have evolved for sustained hovering and rapid omnidirectional movement. Their wings articulate in a figure-8 pattern that generates the lift needed to stay suspended and maneuver in any direction with precision. Hummingbirds can instantly accelerate, decelerate, and change direction.
In contrast, falcons have evolved for fast and agile aerial pursuit. Their long, tapered wings allow them to cruise efficiently and reach high speeds in open air. Falcons use their speed and momentum to stoop down rapidly to catch flying prey mid-air in impressive diving attacks.
Bird | Wingspan | Top Diving Speed | Top Level Flight Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | 3-4 feet | 200+ mph | 69 mph |
Cuban Bee Hummingbird | 3-5 inches | Does not dive | 27 mph |
Maneuverability and Agility
Hummingbirds are more agile in flight than falcons. With their ability to hover in place, fly backwards, and change direction instantly, hummingbirds excel at maneuvering in tight spaces. Their tiny size allows them to twist, turn, and alter their movement rapidly without losing stability or control.
Falcons are also incredibly agile fliers, using their tail and wings to bank and weave through the air with ease. But falcons lack the maneuverability that comes from a hummingbird’s smaller size and ability to hover. In complex environments like dense forests, hummingbirds have the edge in agility.
Flight Muscles and Metabolism
The supersonic wing beats of hummingbirds are fueled by incredibly high metabolisms and enlarged flight muscles. Up to 35% of a hummingbird’s total body mass is flight muscle. They have the highest metabolism of any animal relative to their size. This gives them tremendous stamina and energy to maintain their rapid wing beats.
Peregrines also have large pectoral muscles devoted to powering flight. But their overall energy output and metabolism is lower relative to their size compared to hummingbirds. Hummingbirds burn through calories at an astonishing rate to provide energy for sustained speed and maneuverability.
Altitude Capabilities
Falcons are well adapted for flying at extremely high elevations. Peregrines comfortably nest on mountain cliffs and hunt on high ridges. Their muscular efficiency, wing shape, heart and lung capacity give them an advantage at altitude over hummingbirds. Hummingbirds do not normally fly as high or migrate over mountains like some falcons.
Vision and Sensing
A key advantage falcons have over hummingbirds is their exceptional long-distance vision and visual acuity. A peregrine’s foveated eyes and hawk-like vision give it superior eyesight to spot and track prey over vast distances. Hummingbirds have good eyesight for their size, but it does not compare to the extreme visual capabilities of falcons.
Roles as Hunters/Prey
Falcons are aerial hunters that rely on speed, vision, and power to chase down other flying birds. Hummingbirds are nectar-feeding birds that hunt small insects for protein. The two birds have evolved for different ecological roles. Falcons are predators adapted for high-speed aerial kills, while agile hummingbirds are mainly foragers and prey.
Differences in Habitat
Peregrines thrive in open regions at high elevations like mountains, coasts, and wetlands. Hummingbirds live predominantly in tropical and subtropical forests and ecosystems where there is abundant flowering vegetation. The places they live influence how speed and agility are prioritized in their flight styles.
Similarities
Despite their differences, hummingbirds and falcons share some key similarities. Both birds can achieve remarkable speeds in fast forward flight. Maneuverability and agility are critical for their specialized styles of flight. And they are comparable in their ability to rapidly change speed and direction.
Conclusion
In a head-to-head comparison of level flight speed, peregrine falcons can reach higher speeds than hummingbirds. But hummingbirds are unmatched in sustained hovering, maneuverability, and metabolically demanding flight capacities. Different flight adaptations allow falcons to specialize as aerial hunters, while hummingbirds excel as precise hoverers and foragers.
Based on all factors, peregrine falcons edge out hummingbirds as the faster bird in outright speed. But tiny hummingbirds really shine in metabolically intense hovering flight, rapid maneuvering, and accelerating in any direction with precision.
References
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- Sholtz, A., Spitzer, K., Bohning-Gaese, K., & Tobias, J. A. (2019). Evolution of and in Hawkmoths (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera): Flight Behaviour, Morphology and Metabolism. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 128(3), 531-545.
- Tobalske, B. W. (2007). Biomechanics of bird flight. Journal of Experimental Biology, 210(18), 3135-3146.