The world’s fastest bird that rules the skies of Colombo-By Malaka Rodrigo

Ardent birdwatcher Priyanath Kotalawela often visits his favourite birding spot along the walking path of Kimbulawela in Thalawathugoda whenever he has some time. On August 17 he was on one such stroll when he spotted a falcon. Upon closer inspection, Mr. Kotalawela realized it was a Shaheen falcon—a subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon, known as the world’s fastest bird.

The Peregrine falcon is famous for its incredible speed, reaching up to 300 km/h (200 mph) during a stoop or dive for prey. This speed is more than double that of the world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah, which can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph). The Peregrine falcon flies high in the sky, and once it singles out its prey, it dives rapidly. This velocity increases the power of its attack, often causing the prey to die instantly without realizing what hit it.

Prerigrine falcon spotted at Thalawathugoda, Kimbulawala walking path. Pic by Priyanath Kotalawela

The Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a rare but regular migratory bird in Sri Lanka. However, the Shaheen falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator), also known as the Black Shaheen, is a resident breeding bird in Sri Lanka. The Shaheen falcon has darker upper parts and rufous underparts compared to the migratory species.

These falcons roam in the city of Colombo and if carefully scan the surroundings, particularly near tall buildings or communication towers, birdwatchers may be lucky to spot the bird, says Kithsiri Gunawardena, the secretary of the Ceylon Bird Club. High-rise buildings in Colombo, such as the Bank of Ceylon and World Trade Center twin towers, are frequented by these falcons. Mr. Gunawardena recalls seeing both the Shaheen and Peregrine falcons in Kotikawatte, Rajagiriya, and even on top of the water tank of the National Hospital near his residence.

While Peregrine falcons typically build their nests on cliffs and, in Europe, on tall buildings, there are no breeding records of Shaheen falcons in Colombo. “The Shaheen falcon may be breeding in mountainous terrains on the outskirts of Colombo, and with its speed, it can easily reach the heart of the country’s busy capital,” Gunawardena told Sunday Times.

The city offers ample hunting opportunities with plenty of pigeons and other birds that are common prey for Peregrine falcons. “I’ve seen them hunting pigeons on numerous occasions,” Mr. Gunawardena told Sunday Times.

Peregrine falcons are generally seen in Colombo during the winter months when they migrate south from their breeding grounds in Europe and Asia. During this time, birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts have a good chance of spotting these majestic birds in action in Sri Lanka. The presence of Peregrine falcons in Colombo highlights the city’s diverse birdlife and underscores the importance of urban areas as habitats for wildlife, even for species typically associated with more remote or natural environments.

Mr. Kotalawela notes that the Kimbulawela walking path, which is about 100 meters long, is a rich birding spot. “This urban oasis is teeming with life, from migrant and resident bird species to reptiles and insects. It serves as a living classroom, teaching us the importance of preserving precious habitats even in a city,” says Mr. Kotalawela. Previously, on May 23, 2024, he recorded a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) from this same locality, marking the first record of this migratory species in Sri Lanka.