Actually on level flight that is not something that you can use as a reliable guide. They will both fly fast on level flight. In top gear level flight Peregrines
are probably faster but not to the extent that you could necessarily tell them apart at a distance. The speed for which the Peregrines are famous are the stoop, which is very distinctive. and apart from a short chase downwards sometimes, the Hobby doesn’t
do that. Hobbies only rarely fly slowly on level or soaring flight, whereas Peregrines regularly do.
Philip
From: Jean Casburn [m("bigpond.com","casburnj");">]
Sent: Saturday, 2 November, 2019 8:25 AM
To: canberrabirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Q: Peregrine or Hobby speed of flight?
This morning seen in the distance a
dark
bird with very pointed wings flying very fast
and strongly – at first I thought Hobby, but on second thought the speed was so fast
maybe Peregrine. Do any watchers know
if a Hobby can fly
as fast as a Peregrine?
Noisy Friarbirds have invaded my location, along with Red Wattle Birds noisy Yellow-faced
Honeyeaters, Silvereye and of course Blackbirds – all calling, clearly heard with widows open. Frequent chasing flapping
of wings,
snapping bills,
and even screams of terror from the Friarbirds at times.
Jean
