# How Fast Is A Peregrine Falcon?

> Peregrine Falcon top speed is about Over 380 km/h (240 mph) in a dive. Sprint vs endurance and what limits pace.

- **Species:** Peregrine Falcon (*Falco peregrinus*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Carnivore (mainly birds)
- **Habitat:** Cliffs, coasts, open country, and cities
- **Lifespan:** Up to 15 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Over 380 km/h (240 mph) in a dive
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/peregrine-falcon/how-fast-is-a-peregrine-falcon/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/peregrine-falcon/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a crow-sized bird of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, making it one of the most widespread birds in the world. It hunts other birds in mid-air and is the fastest animal on the planet, reaching over 380 km/h (240 mph) in a hunting dive. Adults weigh around 0.9 kg and live up to 15 years in the wild. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Peregrine Falcon profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/peregrine-falcon/) instead.

## The fastest animal alive

No creature moves faster than a peregrine falcon in its hunting dive, known as a stoop. Folding its wings tight against its body, the bird drops from height and can exceed 380 km/h (240 mph), far outpacing any cheetah or racing car. Special baffles in its nostrils are thought to keep the rushing air from damaging its lungs, and a third eyelid clears debris from its eyes mid-plunge. In level flapping flight it is far slower, so the record speed belongs entirely to the vertical dive.

## Help protect the Peregrine Falcon

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/peregrine-falcon/how-fast-is-a-peregrine-falcon/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.