A bird flies high above the tree tops. Riding gusts and gales, it surveys the weave-work of branches below for insects and berries. Suddenly, a screech comes from above and a plummeting force crushes down on it. Flying high and diving low at incredible rates, the peregrine falcon has staked its claim as one of the fastest in the sky. To be caught at the bottom of a peregrine’s dive is the last place you want to be as a bird or bat.
Peregrine falcons are very capable hunters that target their prey from high above and dive, striking them mid-flight. Known for their stealth and sleek builds, peregrine falcons have inspired numerous aerodynamic aircraft concepts. The dive of a peregrine falcon is engineered for lethality, allowing them to top 200 miles an hour—this is the highest speed of any animal known to man. Flying nearly a kilometer high (0.62 miles) before the dive, their prey never has a chance to react.
Peregrine falcons are some of the most common, but notable, birds in the world. Peregrines are found all: from deserts, to coasts, to even cities. Because of this, and their propensity to travel far outside of their nesting season, comes their name. Peregrine is a word, scarcely used now, that quite literally means wanderer. The world’s most common bird of prey, peregrines can be found all continents except Antarctica. Some have been known to travel as many as 15,500 miles in a year. These falcons are able to travel so far because they rely on their impeccable homing instinct. Many falcons use nesting sites that have been passed through generations of falcons for hundreds of years. Where as many animals have been forced from their habitats by the urbanization of first-world countries, the peregrine has learned to capitalize off of this. New York City hosts the highest concentration of the bird in the world. From high perches on skyscrapers, peregrine falcons can pick off birds flying below.
The peregrine falcon is built for speed. The teardrop-shaped body of the falcon and its stiff feathers are two reasons it is so aerodynamic. It also sports black patches on its face that minimize glare when in flying, much like the eye black of a football or baseball player. To combat the speeds at which it goes, the falcon also has a third eyelid to lubricate the eye during flight. Flying at such high speeds also makes for trouble breathing. To account for lung-damaging high wind pressure that may also prevent airflow into the nostrils, peregrine falcons have cone-shaped bones that deflect shockwaves, called baffles.
A number of these characteristics have been adopted by our aircrafts today. Jets moving at supersonic speeds often encounter a block of airflow into their engines. This results in the engines “choking”. To prevent the air from hitting a wall of resistance around the engine, a cone similar to the falcon’s baffle is now implemented. All large jet engines now sport these at their center. Scientists at the University of London’s BAE Systems and City are also studying the feathers of peregrines for fuel efficiency and safety. Peregrines sport sensory feathers that can detect if it has lost airflow. With this in mind BAE scientists are experimenting with 3D printing polymer hair filaments directly onto the wings of aircrafts to produce real-time data on its aerodynamics. Densely packed filaments may also help reduce drag on the winds and increase fuel efficiency. BAE is also looking into hinged flaps that mimic the upward bristle of a peregrine falcon’s feathers when trying to slow its descent. This would grant aircrafts greater control in landings and in improve safety.
The peregrine falcon is truly a marvel of nature. With grace and speed, it dominates its ecosystem. Though its numbers were reduced to but a few hundred after the DDT environmental crisis, it has rebounded and is no longer a threatened species. I hope that we all have the chance to see one of these amazing birds in action. If you’re ever in the city, there are observation decks upon which you can see them. It might be worth your time to catch a half second blur streaking out of the sky.