Originally Posted By: KY Jon
Few ducks can go 40 mph without a tailwind.



Bird speed is interesting. Ruffed grouse and quail can go from zero to top end pretty quickly. I expect a pheasant might have a faster top end, but they don't accelerate as quickly.

I was driving along a highway in Iowa one day, probably doing about 60, when I spotted a hen pheasant flying parallel to the road. I slowed down a bit to keep pace with her and watched the speedometer. She was doing a bit over 50 mph. Coasting, not flapping her wings.