Which Australian bird is the world’s fastest diving bird, reaching over 300 kilometres per hour?

The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest diving bird, reaching more than 300 kilometres per hour in a hunting stoop.

Peregrines occur across Australia, including coastal cliffs, inland ranges, and some cities. They hunt other birds in midair, using speed, maneuverability, and a specialized notched beak to kill prey quickly.

Their spectacular dive is much faster than their ordinary level flight. Exact speed estimates vary because measuring a wild falcon in a controlled dive is difficult, but recorded and widely cited estimates exceed 300 kilometres per hour.

The species suffered severe declines in parts of the world during the twentieth century because of pesticides such as DDT. Restrictions on those chemicals helped many populations recover, although local threats remain.