When in pursuit, the Peregrine flies very fast, hovers above its victim and makes a sudden swoop downward at tremendous speed. When a Peregrine Falcon dives, it becomes the fastest animal in the world, a feathered bullet aimed at its prey. The Peregrine's stunning speed is a performance in two acts. First, it pumps its wings until it is flying about 50 miles per hour. Then, folding its wings tightly against its body, it drops into a dive that falconers call a "stoop." When its plunge is enhanced by the pull of gravity, the Peregrine reaches a speed of more than 200 miles per hour.