What is the fastest bird and how fast can it go?

The fastest bird is the peregrine falcon, which can reach speeds of over 240 miles per hour (386 kilometers per hour) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high-speed dive). In level flight, the common swift is among the fastest, reaching speeds of around 69 miles per hour (111 kilometers per hour). The peregrine falcon's speed makes it not only the fastest bird but also the fastest animal on the planet.