When was the first bird flight speed record officially measured?
Quick Answer
The formal study of bird flight speed developed in the 20th century, with the fastest stoop of the peregrine falcon measured in the modern era.
The Full Story
Accurate speed measurement of birds became possible only with modern instruments in the 20th century. The peregrine falcon’s diving speed was later documented as the fastest among birds, with measured stoops exceeding 300 km/h in some studies. These records depend on the conditions and method used, so exact numbers can vary. The development of high-speed photography and radar made it possible to quantify bird flight in ways earlier naturalists could not.
Key Facts
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