Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The Peregrine Falcon is often stated to be the fastest animal on the planet because in its hunting dive it soars to a great height and then dives steeply at speeds commonly said to be over 199 mph. A study testing the flight physics of an 'ideal falcon' found a theoretical speed limit at 250 mph for low altitude flight and 390 mph for high altitude flight. In 2005, a falcon was recorded diving at 242 mph.