The bird weighs only about 2kg but reaches a flying speed close to that of a personal plane

The Arctic kestrel weighs about 2kg but is considered one of the fastest birds of prey, able to reach more than 320 km/h.

Arctic kestrels rarely appear. They are distributed in most of the northern hemisphere with the majority living in North America, Greenland and Northern Europe. This species is not migratory, but some individuals move to different areas after the breeding season or when winter comes. They breed on the Arctic coast, islands in North America, Europe and Asia.

The plumage of this species varies according to location, ranging from white to dark brown. The Arctic Falcon also became the national bird of Iceland.

The Arctic Knot has an average weight of more than 2kg but is considered the “fastest” in the animal world with downward throws reaching speeds of more than 320 km/h in just the blink of an eye. Their superior physical strength makes them the strongest falcon in the world.
Close-up of the falcon’s lightning speed (Photo cut from clip).
Follow the BBC Earth film crew to capture the most authentic moments of a couple living on Ellesmere – one of the most remote islands in the world located in the northernmost part of Canada extending to 84 degrees north latitude.

The island is covered with rugged mountains and strong winds. Ellesmere Island is one of the most pristine wilderness areas on the planet. About 9 months of the year, the entire island is covered with snow and ice. By early June, the temperature inched up just enough for the snow and ice to begin to slowly melt.

Males are only one-third the size of females. It is not currently hunting but only showing off its strength. This cliff is where a pair of kestrels find a place to breed. This is a place with a view towards the sea.

The favorable location, with natural shelter, helps them detect other males that suddenly break in as well as find potential prey. Below, any duck that takes off becomes delicious prey for the kestrel.

Not long after, the female kestrel disappeared. That’s a good sign because this shows that she went to incubate her eggs behind this overhang of the cliff. Last summer, this pair of kestrels failed to reproduce. Hopefully this year, they will be successful