Birds of the Sparrow-tailed Godwit species are experts at impressive flights of hundreds of kilometers non-stop. Now a bird of the same species has set a world record for the longest non-stop flight. This bird flew a distance of 13,560 km at the same time. This long haul flight was from Alaska to Tasmania, Australia.
The bird tagged 234684 holds the record. Not once during the journey did the bird come down anywhere to rest or look for prey. It took 11 days to travel this distance. The total distance traveled by the bird is estimated to be a third of the circumference of the earth. Bird migration began on October 13, 2022. Researchers also tracked it throughout its journey using a satellite tag.
This Gogwit is five months old. 234684 has broken the record set by another bird of the same species in 2020. But this non-stop journey has also affected the health of the bird. Eric Woehler of Tasmanian Birdlife says he has lost more than half his body weight after flying non-stop day and night. Migration of bar-tailed gowits often results in loss of life.
Their feet are unable to keep them firmly on the surface of the water. During the migration, due to body fatigue or bad weather conditions, they usually lose their lives if they have to land on the ocean side. But by overcoming all these difficulties, the bird has made a record of adventurous migration. They usually migrate from Alaska to New Zealand. The record-setting bird was also different in its trajectory.
English Summary: Bird Flies From Alaska To Australia Without Stopping, Breaks World Record
