Can a Pigeon Beat a Peregrine Falcon? | BBC Studios

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Watch a brilliant in flight race between the mighty Peregrine Falcon and the humble pigeon. Brilliant short animal video from BBC wildlife show Animals: The Inside Story.
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[@niamtxiv]

I love pigeons. They are some of the most beautiful birds out there. I once raised a coop of roller pigeons and it's amazing to see how they fly when falcon chased them. My pigeons dived and sped like a bullet from the sky. My diver pigeon dropped 1000ft from the sky all the way down home. One falcon target my yellow pigeon, however, she dived so fast and swoop up into the sky like a missile, the falcon couldn't catch her. I was so amazed to see how fast pigeons can be. They are lovely birds.

[@offdatgogo]

pigeon lost 7.68 hp with the freak'n cam on it's back...hahaha

[@niamtxiv]

Some of my pigeons do the same thing. They would fly right into bushes and trees to avoid being meal for falcons. Pigeons are very smart birds.

[@flabarple]

Amazing camera work.

[@dogstar8871]

impressive production - in final shot we should see the pigeon's throat quivering

[@SnottyAust]

A pigeon is very fast in level flight and peregrines dont do well catching them like this but i have seen they use wind currents between buildings, big grain silos etc. to get an advantage. Kings of old respected and protected Peregrines

[@envoirment]

Peregrine falcons are amazing! Nothing on the planet comes close to it's amazing speed ^_^

[@CarlMariano]

cant get enough of these videos

[@bencroft3248]

well done pigeon good for you little fella!

[@hAhan17]

whao tat falcon looks so great... soaring in the air.... escpiecially the wings, cutting trough the air...

[@hanghang71]

i'm surprised that pidgeon got away with a camera on its back

[@BlueRayJmonga]

The Pigeon was so scared that it fly faster than the peregrine

[@niamtxiv]

Trust me, you haven't seen the real speed of a pigeon. Peregrine falcons are amazing, however, don't underestimate the cute lovely pigeons.

[@joseraposo4148]

I am from the Azores islands and have had pigeons all my life. We do not have falcons there. Have been living in California for 45 years and have had 13 different breeds of pigeons. The ones I have that have been able to escape a falcon, not all the times, is a cross breed. I have crossed a Turkish Kelebek with a Birmingham roller and a Portuguese tumbler. I call it Portuguese rollerbecks. They summersault, dive, zig-zag but still once in a while they are a meal for the peregrine falcon. The escampadissa pigeon from the island of Majorca, to my knowledge, is the only pigeon that can outsmart a falcon, but again not all the times.

[@adonis8847]

Dogfights of nature.... love this

[@chuchubarney]

I have had raised andrehabilitated both falcons and pidgeons. The speed of both birds is unbelievable but pidgeon always wins for dexterity hands down. And for all those who see the pidgeon as air rats or annoying birds then you truly do not understand this beautiful creature. They are highly intelligent, playful and very affectionate --- more than a pet cat and dog.

[@emj9277]

And what about the falcon

[@niamtxiv]

I love pigeons. I remember a falcon chasing my yellow female roller. She dropped from the sky like a falcon, so fast I was opening my jaw. My gosh, pigeons are not just little slow birds. They are fast as heck.

[@MsBrowse]

racing pigeons can outstand falcon anytime anywhere. yes, the falcon has the greatest speed and great agility, but the racing pigeons has much more reflex in the sky and greater agility than falcon, so basically pigeon has greater evasion than any free-flying bird except owls

[@nickswildlifefootage9392]

how do you get those close up shots in the air.

[@Nemorath]

Flapp those wings mate ! :D

[@andyrivero8047]

"The greatest self-powered horizontal flight speed" A Homing Racing Pigeon can fly 700 miles in a single day, and they have been recorded flying at 92.5 miles per hour making them the fastest flying birds with the fastest speed ever recorded on a self-powered Flight. And the fastest longest endurance flight.

[@benjaminwatkins7830]

Yoandy Rivero nope peregrine falcon dives 300+ mph and straight line is 240 mph

[@lilywonder6315]

I wonder if a city pigeon can do that too. Plz tell me

[@baneofall5783]

Well, that's a question i have wanted to find an answer to myself: Whether a Feral/Town Pigeon has the same airspeed and endurance of a Racing Homer. For a start, the two are the same species (Columba Livia), both having derived from the ancestral, wild Rock Dove, a bird of the coastal cliffs around South-East Europe and North Africa. Pure Rock Doves still exist today, but they are more local in distribution having interbred with Feral Pigeons. Feral Pigeons came to be in the first place because some domesticated Rock Doves escaped, but instead of heading back to the coast, came to live in our cities instead. The domestic birds that stayed, were bred for different uses, including racing. Top Racing Homers have been timed at up to 92.5 MPH, with ultimate speed outbursts of 110 Mph, max. Because these birds have been specifically bred and trained for the sport, it is unlikely that Feral Birds, having escaped thousands of years ago (like 6000 or something like that), would be able to match their flying skill, as they have not had the training and muscle development of the Racers. They escaped before the real selective breeding for Racing Homers took place, that's why the Feral Pigeons in our cities resemble the Wild Rock Dove, just with sometimes different feather patterns: the escapees were only bred for a bit, and during that short bit, they developed different patterns which we now see in our streets in the form of the humble pigeon. Having said that though, Pigeons are generally strong fliers, and even in Feral birds, a third of their body weight, so around 120 Grams, is pure breast muscle for pumping those wings, allowing regular feral pigeons to accelerate to 50-60 MPH. Not as fast as a trained Racing Homer but fast enough to escape a Peregrine Falcon in horizontal flight. Hope that answers you question. Quick note: All Fancy Pigeons bred for the crazy feathers, Racing Homers for their speed and endurance, were all bred from the one bird we domesticated; the Rock Dove.

[@johnreilly1491]

Fast bird in level flight is a needle tailed swift 106mph.

[@Semendrija123]

@@baneofall5783 just a few remarks from a professional falconer! There is no bird on earth that can fly at 90, let alone 110 mph in a still air during level flight, and all these amazing number are done with the help of the strong tail wind! I have clocked my peregrines that I train for the races at about 75 mph in a still air with GPS telemetry and I can say with certainty that feral pigeons are no match for the fit peregrine. Here is the example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2atp4CEhcd2eMk This is our immature peregrine male that has almost no experience in flying and hunting, we just started training him, and in this particular instance he was dead tired because he was chasing the wild birds all over the place, and when we called him back, we have released the fresh and strong feral pigeon to teach him the lesson that he can't catch the prey if he is not high above us and paying attention. But as it turns out, even if he was tired and inexperienced young bird, he was able to dominate the strong pigeon by his sheer speed and stamina! Even though the racing pigeons are faster than the feral pigeons, they are on average not faster than a fit peregrine, especially a wild one, and they escape by trying to climb out, or outmaneuver the peregrine. kzbin.info/door/3teGEwaChl0AmRgibhMxAQvideos Here are some videos from the peregrine falcon and racing pigeon competitions. Falcons in question are immature peregrines against the best racing pigeons, and the pigeons have about 100 meters head start. Since I have measured how fast the peregrines are in level flight, I can assure you that no racing pigeon can come even close to the 90 mph in level flight without the help of the strong tail wind!

[@MansaNze]

His "VICTORY POSE" at 2:17! LMAO!

[@lilywonder6315]

haha very cute isnt he

[@mobfiggaz33]

That pigeon was steady mobbin' lol

[@Creeperboy099]

Falcon: F/A-18 Pigeon: Cessna 172

[@dougdog82]

I am trying to find a camera set up for my racing pigeons. Anyone know of any online companies that sell them?? Thanks!!!!!!!!

[@RobeyMc]

that pigeon was like FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK...whew...holy shit

[@litojonny]

pigeon at end "fuck yeah bitcheszzzzz!!"

[@Itsallgoodtogo]

when he gets older he will learn the falcon punch ... pigeon will be like ... "Fu...*a splater of blod*" !

[@Aadibass]

Can't really argue against that.. But I find dives to be of aesthetical value. I mean, when they dive they are in complete control over themselves and it's amazing how they can maneouver that precisely in lightning speed. So it's not like it's just to fly high enough and then stop with your beak pointing down. I think that's what i meant.

[@xAiiRPLANES]

One time I found a huge pile of shredded grey feathers and carcass and a head in my backyard. I think a falcon or something had caught a pigeon in my yard. Kind of sucked because I love pigeons but I was able to get some feathers lol.

[@paulle8]

If you are living in an apartment with a balcony, you would hate pigeons.

[@tipplersnepal]

don't take pigeons as a sitting ducks... some breeds of pigeons have a reputation of out- maneuvering falcons. falcons may have speed but most of people rarely see the agility and tactics of tipplers, tumblers and homers also...

[@matthewjamal]

i like how we know so much about animals...yet they are probably like "wtf is this fucking thing feeding me bird seed?"

[@Aadibass]

it doesn't just fall, it dives and the top speed is estimated to be over 200 mph.. it uses it's aerodynamic body to increase it's speed.

[@42fba]

I'd imagine it's the same way you get anything strapped to a pigeon. You make (or buy, I check, they're not expensive) a small backpack that loops around the wings and hooks over the chest, you take your pigeon, strap him in against his will, and then throw him at a falcon.

[@prijedor11]

that pigeon must have been talking so much shit to its buddies that night hahaha he was like " i beat a falcon....with a camera on my back BITCH

[@HeroOfXanadus]

as Jimbo stated before me, nor have I ever cheered for those birds so much as I have watching this video.

[@madskull888]

they can go up to 250 mph in a dive and one way that they kll things is they dive and hit them on the back of their heads, causing it to explode

[@spagamoto]

1:43 I would have added a sonic boom to this shot ;)

[@protheus123]

Owls do fly in dense forrests, and they have a leading edge because they do it at night time. Of course, not at the same speed like the hawk, but hey, they fly in the dark.

[@galgia12345]

I know the pigeon is thinking...."Why is this Pigeon Following me..And Why is this Camera lying on my Head?!".....

[@joedm]

i shall call that one "Young Geezy"

[@fanderwegen]

Everything's easy for Falcon except the pigeons race ....... Tribute to a pigeon race ...

[@iGhost]

For a limited time, yes. Cheetahs maybe the fastest in movement speed but they can only do it for a short time. If cheetahs cannot catch a prey with their burst speed in a short time span, they wont chase anymore. Their hearts will go into overdrive and they will overheat and be too exhausted to continue after one hunt

[@n3iljay3]

The biggest peregrine falcon dive records was 210-200 mph so the higher it is the FASTER the dive

[@DipSet85]

birds flap like theres no tomorow

[@DannysDoos]

@dougdog82 There's a guy (newpigeonguy I think..) that shows you how to make the cameras. Hope this helps. P.S. - I'm gonna make one for my pigeons/doves too :D

[@velouric]

Esto es ARTE Señores.

[@iGhost]

Dive speed, not flight speed. Dive. Speed. Not sure where you come from but I am pretty sure dive does not have the same meaning as fly.

[@faranick1]

racing pigeons rules!

[@jimmylemmons]

my bad, i misunderstood the diving vs. flying speed so yea i was wrong it wasnt staged and thanks for clearing up that misunderstanding

[@iGhost]

yeah its a temporary burst of speed cheers.

[@Ghost12345879]

@ igarcol , i would but wat happens if my crossbreaded lanner/peregrine falcon kills your pigeon ??

[@Tabulous7]

if it would keep the shot from its back it would be good, not switching

[@VPROLIFIC]

is that so? imagine a falcon running into our heads..

[@bubba198706]

it feels good to be a human. we can simply jus go to the grocery store LOL

[@TheRaoulsdaddy]

There are many things that can change the outcome,but without Falcons,we would all be in deep(pigeon)shit!

[@MsBrowse]

thanks ;] new info

[@darkbatMori]

Must be annoying being a peregrine, or any bird of prey really. I don't know what their hunting success rate is but I'm willing to bet it's not very high. You can see this video as 'puny pigeon beats mighty falcon' if you like, but I'd prefer to think that the peregrine went off and successfully hunted its dinner and did not starve. Because they are amazing birds. :)

[@Ykess]

its always best to be a city pidgeon

[@MuhammadEgypt]

Lucky Pigeon!

[@TheFlyingHorse1]

Wow!

[@BenMauser]

they use "fingercams". pretty small cameras...at the size of a finger....:D

[@MsH1h1h1h1]

i am sure a cheetah falling from the sky would go faster

[@wieslawl59]

@rolandroiroi Yes, in freefalling, but not in ordinary horizontal flight. Many birds outspeed peregrines, among others pigeons.

[@icool247]

GoPro Bird Cam lol

[@JaEd0]

rofl @ the preacher....

[@j.4332]

A film about speed shot in slow motion.

[@AloanMoreira1]

1:55 Top Gun

[@92Sanki]

you are lucky, all that i have in my vicinity is pigeons, crows,sparrows and an occasional kite :\

[@dixievfd55]

Jink! Jink!!!

[@Furicist]

@Manarex5 Theyre doing it for entertainment, not science and the BBC is the British Broadcasting Corporation, so none of your dollars went in to the production of this show in the first place.

[@mupetti666]

those are homing pigeons, not domestic pigeons.

[@iGhost]

The Peregrine Falcons cannot fly at the same speed they dive at... Even a Swift "only" hits 110km/h and the fastest being 169km/h w w w(.) aeci(.)org/Environmental_FalconStoryFacts(.)aspx How fast can a peregrine falcon fly? In level flight, the normal speed for peregrines is about 40-55mph(64-88km/h). In a stoop (dive) peregrine falcons can attain speeds in excess of 200mph(320km/h) as they attack their prey.

[@92Sanki]

Their sound is kinda annoying to me but i agree, they are intelligent!

[@iGhost]

Among the land animals, yes Birds would be swifts and swallows. Diving speed peregrine falcons easily takes the crown

[@tuckerroberts4012]

That’s cool man

[@cruelswords123]

DOES THE PIGEON SURVIVE???

[@5519822018]

Speed race: turtle vs snail

[@abcdefgsueangel]

i Saw a pigeon get run over and it fell on the floor and a car whill hit it and all its guts came out

[@fanderwegen]

I always say that pigeon race fastest of the Falcon ...

[@Henryha]

RAISE YO GAME HOMIE

[@benmboard]

all it does it fall when it dives. it falls 180mph we fall 150mph.

[@rewill17]

so they put like lil cam on that pigeon? lol. wow! nice vid. this ppl got some nice video. "african lungfish" must see video.

[@vijaybuck]

that pigeon in those shots might be a prop!... something about that doeesn't look real to me

[@mattrick50]

240 miles per hour danm thats a fast bird

[@derrickderrick7191]

unfezant vs talonflame

[@internetilliterate]

and this is a recent development, right?

[@doingyourass]

GO VALIANT GO

[@nokia-ie6fw]

ill go for pigeon.. falcon has low success rate killing a pigeon.. most of the video on youtube are film only when they catch a pigeon of course who would film a fail catch... but in real life they hardly catch one specially racing pigeon breed.

[@pigeonsstars3155]

Ma'm i have pigeons and falcan took daily one and almost 3 average in our area. And we have so hate for this

[@Dubanx]

Naah, pigeons are about as intelligent as we give them credit for. Not very. The crow on the other hand is a completely different story. Now those are some pretty smart birds.

[@VPT2]

personally, i've been around them enough to hate them

[@litojonny]

damn i hate pigeons... i swear they chirp 4 in the morning around my house....

[@MyVinylFetish]

Once had a neighbour that had pigeons. Our young brown Burmese cat ended up catching two of them. Pigeons are fast, but that little brown Burmese was a lightning bolt.

[@jimmylemmons]

im not the only one, :0

[@chinaliew]

i a m amazed high quality cool

[@parasoldat66]

i just dont understand how they film this kind of shit, same for ant lairs how the HELL do you film that xD

[@iGhost]

Likely the best joke of the week for me. Maybe you should start studying biology someday. Pigeons can fly up to 110mph. Normal flying speeds, peregrine falcons are about the same as pigeons. If both fly side by side, one wont be overtaking the other. Thats their max speed. Diving attacks though, peregrine falcons are the fastest birds. The 190mph you mentioned isnt flying speed, its DIVING speed. Calling it staged just because the falcon fail to capture the pigeon doesnt make you look smart.

[@exumer300]

I wish i could fly haha

[@user-lz5sm6je4e]

For me its kinda unfair, the pigeon has a camera in its back adding more weight..Good thing however is peregrines have only 20% success rate in catching their prey, but if that peregrine was diving from the sky to the pigeon, Animal's god bless his soul...

[@stefankot6523]

That was scenario not real chase

[@YawnGod]

Hehehe.