From Wikipedia:
The White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus), also known as Needle-tailed Swift or Spine-tailed Swift, is a large swift. It is the fastest-flying bird in flapping flight, with a confirmed maximum of 111.6 km/h (69.3 mph). It is commonly reputed to reach velocities of up to 170 km/h (105 mph), though this has not been verified.
The Wikipedia
Peregrine Falcon article says:
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. <snip> The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 322 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive),[6] making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. According to a National Geographic program, the highest measured speed of a Peregrine Falcon is 389 km/h (242 mph).
From
Speed of Animals, an article referenced by the Wikipedia piece:
The world's record for speed among living things Is best established for the Indian spine-tailed swift, a bird which was repeatedly clocked In level flight, over a carefully measured two-mile course, in as little as 3Z.8 seconds or 219 Miles an hour. The European peregrine, a hawk used in falconry, was timed at 165 to 180 mph during its dive after quarry. In the United States, the golden eagle and the duck hawk can dive from high altitudes at similar speeds and the latter, In level flight, easily overtakes and seizes such swift birds as ducks and pigeons.
So, there appear to be some conflicting claims. What's indisputable, however, is the falcons and swifts are speedy creatures.
We frequently see Northern Harrier hawks in our blueberry fields and in the surrounding hay fields. They are very cool to watch because they hover, at heights ranging from about 4 ft to 50 ft above the ground, for seemingly minutes, before diving at their prey. The diversity of birds is wonderful!
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