Eli5: how do birds like Falcons come out of a 200+mph dive without being ripped apart by air resistance when they spread their wings?

Question

Like the title says. I know Falcons and raptors can dive at 200+ mph. So when they spread their wings to slow down how do they handle the insane force that they would be experiencing?

In: 160

Answer 1

Gradually. But also 200mph isn’t really enough to rip a mammal apart from air resistance. F1 drivers have their helmets in the air at 230+, MotoGP riders their whole bodies in the air at 220+ – they actually use their torsos and dangle legs as an air brake of sorts.