Peregrine Falcon

A crow-sized falcon found worldwide. It is the fastest animal on the planet, traveling at speeds in excess of 200 mph (322 kph) when diving for prey, which consists primarily of birds. This species was once drive to near extinction due to the heavy use of DDT thinning its eggshells and leading to high chick mortality. However, the world population has grown considerably since the chemical's ban in the 1970s and the bird now has a conservation status of least concern from the IUCN.