Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Bird
The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on the planet, diving at speeds approaching 400 km/h to catch other birds in mid-flight.
💡 Fun Facts
- The fastest animal on Earth.
- It reaches speeds of nearly 400 km/h when diving to catch prey.
- They have special nose bones to help them breathe at extreme speeds.
Name Story
Falco peregrinus
means “the wandering (pilgrim) falcon”
What does its name mean?
- Falco — falcon — perhaps from 'sickle', for its curved claws and sickle-shaped wingsLatin, possibly from falx 'sickle'
- peregrinus — wandering, travelling abroad; pilgrimLatin
Its name means 'the wanderer'. Long ago, falconers could not reach the chicks on high cliffs, so they caught young birds while they were travelling — out 'on pilgrimage' — and the name stuck. It fits beautifully, for the peregrine really is a great traveller, and the fastest animal on Earth when it folds its wings and dives.