Category: Birds
The rakish Java sparrow (or Java finch) is endemic to Java, Bali and Bawean in Indonesia. There numbers have fallen in the wild due to habitat destruction and hunting in their native range. Even though they have been popular as domesticated pets for centuries, owning them in some places is illegal since they are considered an agricultural pest.
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When we talk about fast animals, the one that immediately comes to mind for most people is the cheetah, who can reach 70 mph when sprinting. But that’s not even close to the peregrine falcon’s diving speed of up to 242 mph! Flying to great heights, the peregrine falcon reaches top speed performing a maneuver called the stoop: an incredibly fast, steep angled descent designed to surprise prey and hit with incredible impact. Moving so fast isn’t easy on the lungs, but the peregrine falcon has evolved bony tubercles in its nostrils that help divert airflow way from the nostrils and better manage changes in air pressure.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
