Actually, peregrine falcons aren’t only fast for birds. They’re the fastest animal, period. “Scientists have estimated the falcon’s speed to be more than 200 miles per hour.”
A few years ago, it was feared they might go extinct. Now they’re making a comeback, thanks to captive breeding programs.
From a PR standpoint, the birds are also getting a little help from the Internet. “Falcams” — webcams set up so people can watch falcons — are the most popular type of webcam, according to this article by Sandy Bauers in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Here in Rochester, we have our own falcam: the Kodak Birdcam. Check it out. They’re back.