The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, diving at speeds exceeding 240 mph.

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a master of aerodynamics, reaching documented speeds of 242 mph (389 km/h) during its signature hunting dive. This remarkable speed was famously recorded in 2005 when skydiver Ken Franklin used a computer chip to track a falcon named Frightful. At such extreme velocities, normal air pressure would collapse a bird's lungs, but the falcon has evolved remarkable physical adaptations to survive.The most critical adaptation is the tubercle, a small bony protrusion inside each nostril. These structures redirect high-pressure air into a spiral pattern, effectively slowing it down before it reaches the respiratory system. This mechanism is so efficient that it has inspired the design of intake cones in modern jet engines. Without these internal baffles, the falcon could not inhale while diving at maximum speed.Beyond its nostrils, the falcon possesses a nictitating membrane—a third eyelid that protects the eyes from debris and keeps them moist without obstructing vision during the hunt. Its feathers are also exceptionally stiff and streamlined to minimize drag. These combined adaptations allow the falcon to strike prey with such force that the impact alone is often fatal, making it one of nature's most efficient predators.