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Peregrine stoop UB2A4265

St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Kent.

 

During level flight, with motion generated by wing-beats alone, they can reach speeds between 40-60 mph. This is one of the fastest known speeds for level flight with only a few species of duck, wader and pigeon known to reach similar speeds in comparable flight.

Birds of prey often use a controlled dive known as a stoop whilst hunting. This hunting technique is amongst the most spectacular of wildlife behaviour across the animal kingdom.

 

The actual speed that a peregrine reaches in a stoop will be effected by the wind speed and duration of the dive, which will vary in every situation. Because of these variables there is not a confirmed top speed however it is thought that it is possible for a peregrine in ideal conditions to reach speeds of up to 200 mph which is phenomenal.

Read more at ww2.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guid...

 

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Uploaded on May 7, 2018
Taken on May 3, 2018