by Ark » Mon May 17, 2010 11:44 am
As for wild birds, if I had to take a guess, I would go with the previous poster who said Cockatiels. Smaller birds with a long, tapered shape are probably the best candidates for faster flight. Also, if we factor in the Cockatiel's habitat, I would assume that it would have a greater need to acheive higher speeds then a species that lives in a denser environment.
Though speed probably does play its role, I would think agility and reaction time may be more useful in avoiding another bird in the average home. Also, if we take a Lovebird as an example, sometimes they are so tenacious that they won't back down until the last minute (if at all) even when faced with a bigger and slower bird, whereas a bird that may be a slower flyer that reacts by fleeing and recognises a threat faster may have a better chance, so that can make a big difference too.
Flight speed would depend on so many things, like the bird's experience, the room he has to learn, even how strong the bird's drive to fly is, etc. Also do species that are generally able to fly faster have the chance to use their speed to its full potential? Like do they always have the room to get to the higher speeds or have the room to maneouver properly at the higher speeds in their home? Maybe some do and maybe some don't, it would be more of an indivudual case, I think.
As for my birds keeping up with each other, I don't know if I got exactly what you were asking. They fly at similar speeds, though the African Grey is much more agile and has more endurance then the Timneh, he also has more drive to fly then the Timneh. The Timneh was clipped for a good portion of her life by her previous owner.