Which hawk is the fastest air animal?

The peregrine falcon, a bird of the raptorfamily, is considered to be the fastest air animal in the world.

The bird's top speed is reached in its hunting dive, which is called a stoop. To attain its stoop the raptor soars high in the air and turns into a steep dive, hitting its prey in mid-air with its clenched talons; the prey is either stunned or instantly killed, and the falcon catched it as it falls.

It is reported that the peregrine falcon has been recorded reaching 389 km/h (242 mph), and is generally believed to reach speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph).

For more information on the peregrine falcon, see the link below.

Among other very fast birds is the swift, a swallow-like bird related to the hummingbird, which reaches speeds of 216 km/h (134 mph) over short distances.