The 20 Speediest Animals on Earth, Ranked

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that some animals out there are faster than a Ferrari. And we’ve only managed to achieve flight by watching birds, studying their anatomy, and finally figuring out that the only way to fly is with aerodynamics. Some animals are faster than duster planes, which are very fast, at 220 mph cruising speed in flight. So there’s no way prey can evade such skilled predators unless they run or fly faster.

20. Ostrich (45 mph)

Ostriches are the fastest birds on land, capable of reaching speeds up to 45 mph. Having strong leg muscles allows these birds to cover 16 feet in a single stride and to maintain this speed for long distances. This bird species is a running machine because of the two toes on their feet, which help them maintain balance and speed while running.

19. Thomson’s Gazelle (50 mph)

Thomson’s gazelle is a type of antelope that can sprint up to 50 mph. Its lean body and strong legs give it the ability to rapidly accelerate. And it’s not just speed that gives these animals a fighting chance against predators. They can maintain bursts of speed while zig-zagging, something that most predators can’t do.

18. Blue Wildebeest (50 mph)

Blue wildebeests have the same top speed as Thomson’s gazelles. However, compared to them, these wildebeest have a muscular build, which allows them to cover up to 73 feet per second when sprinting. They also don’t run at top speed unless they’re migrating across the African Savannah.

17. Quarter Horse (55 mph)

Quarter horses are incredible sprinters, capable of achieving speeds up to 55 mph. Their powerful hindquarters provide quick acceleration, allowing them to cover short distances rapidly. Plus, they can burst into a fast sprint from a standing start, reaching their top speed in just a few seconds.

16. Springbok (55 mph)

The springbok can reach speeds of up to 55 mph, thanks to its lightweight build and long, powerful legs. It has a unique “pronking” leap that can propel it up to 13 feet in the air. The animal’s agility is also intense, thanks to its flexible spine, which allows it to quickly change directions to evade predators.

15. Pronghorn (55 mph)

The pronghorn is North America’s speedster, capable of running at 55 mph. They can maintain high speeds over long distances due to their large windpipes and a heart that boosts oxygen intake. There’s also no sneaking up on the pronghorn because they have eyes on the sides of their heads, providing a wide field of vision to spot threats while on the run.

14. Swordfish (60 mph)

The swordfish can reach speeds of up to 60 mph because of its streamlined body and powerful tail. This fish uses rapid, burst-like movements to accelerate quickly through the water. Their long, sword-like bill helps slice through water. Swordfish can also regulate their body temperature to quickly adjust to their environment.

13. Anna’s Hummingbird (61 mph)

Anna’s hummingbirds are small but mighty in terms of speed. They can reach up to 61 mph during their courtship dive. The little birds achieve this rapid feat due to their incredible wingbeat, which can be as fast as 50 beats per second. And, like all hummingbird species, they can hover in the air while feeding on nectar.

12. Sailfish (68 mph)

The sailfish is the fastest marine animal in the world. Its sleek body and long, pointed bill help it cut through the ocean with ease. To reach its top speed, the sailfish uses the powerful thrusts of its tail. Sailfish can change colors to communicate with each other, which is a rare characteristic among animals.

11. Cheetah (68-75 mph)

The cheetah is undoubtedly built for speed. With a spine that works like a spring and large nasal passages for increased oxygen intake, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds. It covers about 20–25 feet in a single stride. However, this speed and acceleration come at a cost because they can only maintain their top speed for about 20–30 seconds before they need to rest.

10. Gray-Headed Albatross (79 mph)

The gray-headed albatross reaches speeds of 79 mph as a result of its massive wingspan of 7.2 feet. These birds are experts at dynamic soaring, using wind gradients over the ocean to accelerate without flapping their wings. Since they essentially glide in the air, gray-headed albatrosses can cover large distances and even sleep while flying.

9. Gyrfalcon (90 mph)

The gyrfalcon can achieve a speed of 90 mph during stoops, a high-speed hunting dive. They’re also well adapted to cold weather and are the only bird of prey that frequents the Arctic and subarctic regions. They hunt ptarmigan and waterfowl, sometimes catching them while in flight, fish, and various small mammals.

8. Spur-Winged Goose (88 mph)

Spur-winged geese have large wings and muscular bodies and can reach up to 88 mph during flight. It uses its wing spurs for fighting and balancing. The spur-winged goose can cover great distances quickly in pursuit of food or when migrating. They live only in Sub-Saharan Africa and are fiercely territorial during the breeding season.

7. Rock Dove (92.5 mph)

Rock doves, or common pigeons, can reach speeds of 92.5 mph during flight. They also have a remarkable homing ability, which allows them to fly back to their nests over long distances with ease. These birds often hit their top speeds during racing events or when escaping predators.

6. Frigatebird (95 mph)

The frigatebird is unusually fast, as it can reach 95 mph even though it’s so close to the 100 mph barrier. Owing to its long, narrow wings and a deeply forked tail, this bird can accelerate and fly quickly. It can even stay airborne for weeks without landing. Males have a distinct red ‘gular pouch’ which they inflate to impress and attract females during the breeding season.

5. Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (100 mph)

The Mexican Free-Tailed Bat flies through the sky at impressive speeds, reaching up to 100 mph. They achieve such velocity with long, narrow wings that enable quick acceleration and agile maneuvers. These nocturnal animals usually fly this fast only while chasing down insects during their nightly hunts.

4. Eurasian Hobby (100 mph)

The Eurasian Hobby is a perfectly shaped bird for achieving top speeds of 100 mph. Its streamlined body, long wings, and low weight (8 oz on average) enable precise and rapid acceleration. This makes it easy to catch dragonflies on the wing. The Eurasian hobby can be found all over Asia, Africa, and Europe.

3. White-Throated Needletail Swift (105 mph)

The White-Throated Needletail Swift can reach speeds up to 105 mph. This bird hits top speed during horizontal flight, an uncommon feature among speedster birds. But seeing how these bird species spend most of their lives in the air, even sleeping while flying, it’s evident that they have incredible stamina.

2. Golden Eagle (150–200 mph)

The golden eagle can dive at breathtaking speeds between 150 and 200 mph, thanks to its powerful wings and very aerodynamic body. When the Golden Eagle spots its prey, it will rise far above the clouds and make a swift descent, tucking its wings near its body so there’s as little air resistance as possible. And with sharp talons and excellent vision, it’s almost impossible for any of its prey to get away.

1. Peregrine Falcon (242 mph)

The peregrine falcon holds the title of the fastest animal on Earth. With an unbelievable dive speed of 242 mph, it relies on its remarkable aerodynamic body and powerful muscles. These birds use gravity to achieve such speeds, folding their wings tightly against their bodies during dives for maximum velocity. Once a peregrine falcon spots a prey, the bird makes it hard for it to survive the encounter.

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