The eagle is known for being one of the fastest birds in the world. With its large wingspan and slim body, the eagle is built for speed and agility in the air. However, there are a few birds that can surpass the eagle when it comes to velocity. Identifying which birds are faster than the eagle requires looking at top airspeeds, diving speeds, and flight styles.
Key Metrics for Flight Speed
When considering which bird is faster than an eagle, there are two key metrics to look at:
Top Airspeed
This measures the fastest horizontal speed a bird can achieve with its wings in normal flight.
Diving Speed
This measures the velocity a bird can reach while diving steeply in a free-fall. Since gravity accelerates the bird downward, diving speeds are generally faster than airspeeds.
The eagle’s top airspeed is around 150 mph. Its diving speed reaches up to 200 mph. Any bird that exceeds these speeds can be considered faster than an eagle. The aerodynamic design and flight style of different birds also determines relative speed capabilities.
Birds With Higher Airspeeds Than Eagles
Here are some birds with top airspeeds faster than 150 mph:
Peregrine Falcon
– Top Airspeed: Over 200 mph
– Diving Speed: 242 mph
The peregrine falcon is considered the fastest bird in the world when in a dive. It achieves speeds over 200 mph using its pointed wings and streamlined body to slash through the air.
Golden Eagle
– Top Airspeed: 150-160 mph
– Diving Speed: 200 mph
The golden eagle matches the 150 mph top speed of the regular eagle. During a dive, it can reach 200 mph just like its relative. The golden eagle uses its large wingspan and light body to gain high speeds.
White-throated Needletail
– Top Airspeed: 105 mph
– Diving Speed: Unknown
The white-throated needletail has a top airspeed of 105 mph, surpassing regular eagles. Its swift horizontal flight makes it the fastest bird in flapping flight.
Gyrfalcon
– Top Airspeed: 130 mph
– Diving Speed: 210 mph
The gyrfalcon is a large falcon with top airspeeds rivaling eagles. It can achieve more than 200 mph while diving, faster than many eagles.
Anna’s Hummingbird
– Top Airspeed: 98 mph
– Diving Speed: Unknown
Anna’s hummingbird beats the eagle’s airspeed by moving its tiny wings up to 80 times per second! It’s the fastest hummingbird and among the fastest birds at normal flight.
Birds With Faster Diving Speeds Than Eagles
Some birds can surpass an eagle’s 200 mph diving speed:
Peregrine Falcon
As mentioned, the peregrine falcon can hit diving speeds of over 240 mph, faster than any other bird.
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle can match the 200 mph diving speed of regular eagles.
Red-tailed Hawk
– Top Airspeed: 120 mph
– Diving Speed: 200 mph
With its broad wings and medium size, the red-tailed hawk can reach the same 200 mph diving speed as many eagles.
Duck Hawk
– Top Airspeed: 100 mph
– Diving Speed: 200 mph
The duck hawk, also called the peregrine falcon, can accomplish a 200 mph diving speed just like an eagle.
Birds With Specialized Flight Advantages
Some unique bird attributes give certain species an edge in speed:
Spine-tailed Swift
– Top Airspeed: 105 mph
– Diving Speed: Unknown
This old world swift has very long, curved wings resembling a spine. These give the spine-tailed swift speed and agility advantages in flight.
Frigatebird
– Top Airspeed: 95 mph
– Diving Speed: Unknown
The frigatebird has the largest wingspan-to-body weight ratio of any bird. Its enormous wings make it very maneuverable and fast in the air.
Albatross
– Top Airspeed: 80 mph
– Diving Speed: Unknown
The albatross has long, narrow wings ideal for gliding over ocean waters. It can soar long distances without flapping its wings – relying on wind currents for speed.
Visualizing the Fastest Birds
This table summarizes the top airspeeds of the fastest flying birds compared to an eagle:
| Bird | Top Airspeed (mph) |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | 242 |
| Golden Eagle | 160 |
| White-throated Needletail | 105 |
| Bald Eagle | 150 |
| Gyrfalcon | 130 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 98 |
As the table shows, the peregrine falcon far exceeds the eagle’s top speed, with the white-throated needletail and gyrfalcon also surpassing it in normal flight.
Aerodynamic Factors in Bird Flight Speed
What gives certain birds faster flight speeds than the eagle? Here are some key aerodynamic factors:
Wing Loading
This measures the ratio of a bird’s weight to its wing size. Birds with a low wing loading relative to weight, like the albatross, can stay aloft easier with less effort.
Aspect Ratio
The ratio between wing length vs width. Long, narrow wings generate lift with less drag – think gliders.
Wing Shape
Wing shapes like the curved falcon wing provide lift and cut through the air. Short, broad wings provide power and maneuverability.
Streamlining
Sleek, smooth bodies like the peregrine falcon minimize drag. Protuberances and cavities on bodies create turbulence.
Power Output
Birds with enough power output from their flight muscles can generate higher speeds with more wing flaps. Hummingbirds are an example.
Dive Advantage
By tilting into a dive, birds convert potential energy into kinetic energy via gravity’s acceleration. This lets them reach faster diving speeds.
Flight Strategies for Speed
Different birds use specialized flight strategies and adaptations to achieve fast speeds:
Flapping Flight
Many birds rely on rapid flapping of their wings to generate thrust and lift. Hummingbirds are masters of sustained fast flapping.
Bound Flight
Alternating bursts of flapping with folds and tucks of their wings to bound through the air. Seen in peregrine falcons.
Gliding and Soaring
Birds like albatross utilize wind currents and hot air pockets to glide over long distances, hardly flapping at all.
Dive-Bombing
Birds like peregrine falcons achieve extremely high speeds by folding wings and diving steeply toward prey.
Skim Feeding
Skimming along water surfaces with mouths open to catch food. Generates speed for gulls and other seabirds.
Conclusion
While eagles are revered for their impressive speed and agility, several other birds can exceed them in velocity given the right conditions. The peregrine falcon is considered the fastest overall bird thanks to its 242 mph diving speed, streamlined body, and specialized hunting adaptations. However, eagles maintain their reputation as some of the swiftest and most powerful fliers, using their large wings and broad tails to maneuver adeptly and achieve great speeds. Their complex flying skills serve as both a survival asset and an inspiration for human engineers. But next time an eagle cruises overhead, remember a peregrine may be streaking by even faster out of eyesight!
