Racing pigeons can fly faster than peregrine falcons in level flight.

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is famous for its high-speed hunting stoop, where it can reach speeds exceeding 240 mph according to National Geographic. However, this speed is gravity-assisted and occurs only during a vertical dive. In level, powered flight, the falcon's top speed typically ranges between 40 and 60 mph.In contrast, the racing pigeon (Columba livia domestica) has been bred for centuries for endurance and rapid horizontal flight. Records from the Royal Pigeon Racing Association show that these birds can maintain speeds of 92 mph over several hours. Some individual birds have even been clocked at 110 mph over shorter distances with a tailwind.This performance is possible because pigeons have a massive breast muscle mass, accounting for nearly one-third of their total body weight. Their wings are also specifically shaped for high-frequency flapping and efficient lift during forward propulsion. Studies by researchers at Harvard University have shown that pigeons possess a unique aerodynamic efficiency that allows them to sustain high speeds that most raptors cannot match without the help of gravity.If a pigeon detects a falcon before the predator begins its dive, it can often out-climb or out-run the falcon in a straight line. The falcon relies on the element of surprise and kinetic energy from its dive to make a kill. Once the falcon loses its momentum and enters a level chase, the pigeon's superior flapping power often allows it to escape.