The cheetah may reign supreme as the fastest animal on land, but when you take into account the air above and the water below, the title of fastest animal on the planet belongs to the Peregrine Falcon.

When considering the broad scope of the fastest animal on the planet, the Top 10 list would probably consist mostly of birds, but in fairness to the land and water-based creatures, we're going to hold the Peregrine Falcon and other high-speed birdies in a different category altogether. You see, when measuring the speed of birds based on traveling speed measured in level flying, the Peregrine Falcon isn't the king of the air. Actually, it doesn't even crack the Top 10. The title for fastest bird in this kind of flight goes to the Spine-Tailed Swift, which can hit a top level flying speed of 106 mph. Compare that to the Peregrine Falcon, which can hit a top speed of just about 60 mph in level flight - impressive in its own right, but not Top 10 material - and the Spine-Tailed Swift blows it out of the water.

So, how is this bird considered the fastest all around and how dare we compare it to a McLaren? Well, hit the jump to find out.

The Peregrine Falcon may be slower than some of its feathered brethren, but - and this is a very big but - it is still considered the fastest bird - actually, the fastest animal altogether - on the planet when it prepares to do its hunting dive called the stoop. What this involves is the Peregrine Falcon soaring to great heights before diving steeply to catch its prey. It is during this stoop that the bird reaches unheard of speeds, easily eclipsing 200 mph - 200 miles per hour, people! - which, in case you didn't know, is equal to the top speed of supercars like the Ferrari 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C->ke3514.

Say what you will about this magnificent bird, but when you're talking to or about a Peregrine Falcon, it's best to remind everyone that this high-flying falcon is not only considered the fastest bird on the planet, but the fastest animal in all the kingdom as well.