What is the estimated speed of the fastest peregrine stoop?

The peregrine falcon is renowned for its incredible speed, particularly during its descent, known as the stoop. This remarkable behavior is characterized by the falcon diving towards its prey from great heights, often utilizing gravity to reach astounding velocities.

The fastest recorded stoop of a peregrine falcon can exceed speeds of 200 mph, making it the fastest bird in the world and one of the fastest animals on the planet. Some estimates even suggest that the stoop can reach speeds as high as 280 mph, especially when accounting for certain individual records and optimal conditions.

In contrast, the other options significantly underestimate this speed. The ranges provided in those choices do not reflect the true athletic capabilities of the peregrine falcon, as they fall well below the documented extremes of this species' diving speed. Thus, the option that encompasses the highest speed range captures the remarkable prowess of the peregrine during its hunting stoop.