Record-Breaking Flight by Bar-Tailed Godwit Highlights Avian Endurance
A bar-tailed godwit has recently achieved a new milestone in avian endurance, completing a non-stop flight of approximately 8,435 miles (13,560 kilometers) from Alaska to Tasmania, according to recent tracking data. This feat surpasses previous records and underscores the remarkable physiological adaptations that allow these birds to undertake such incredible journeys.
The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is known for its extraordinary migratory patterns, breeding in the Arctic regions of Eurasia and North America and wintering as far south as Australia and New Zealand. What distinguishes this species is its capacity to fly vast distances without pausing to feed, drink, or rest.
Researchers have been tracking these birds using satellite transmitters, documenting individual godwits maintaining continuous flight for over nine days. In 2022, one bird, designated “4BBRW,” flew 7,580 miles (12,200 kilometers) over 11 days without stopping, setting a new world record. The recent flight, exceeding 8,400 miles, further solidifies the godwit’s position as a champion of long-distance, non-stop flight.
Physiological Adaptations Enable Endurance
The ability of the bar-tailed godwit to achieve these feats is rooted in a combination of physiological adaptations. Prior to migration, these birds undergo a period of intense feeding, accumulating substantial fat reserves. This stored fat serves as the primary fuel source for their extended flights, allowing them to dramatically increase their body weight before embarking on their journeys.
Scientists at Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust in New Zealand have been instrumental in tracking these birds and documenting their incredible flights. Their work, utilizing data loggers, has revealed that some common swifts have been recorded flying for up to 10 months straight, departing from breeding grounds in Scandinavia and not landing again until the following year.
Comparing Endurance: Godwits and Swifts
While the bar-tailed godwit currently holds the record for the longest non-stop flight distance, the common swift demonstrates exceptional endurance in terms of continuous flight duration. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden tracked common swifts with data loggers, finding that many spent nearly all their time in flight during migration, with a few not landing at all on their journey to and from Africa. This surpasses the previous record held by alpine swifts.
The godwit’s 7,500-mile (12,000 kilometer) journey from Alaska to New Zealand is particularly noteworthy, as it covers a vast oceanic expanse without any opportunity for refueling. This remarkable feat highlights the bird’s ability to navigate and sustain itself over immense distances.
The ongoing research into these migratory patterns provides valuable insights into the physiological capabilities of birds and the challenges they face during long-distance travel. The bar-tailed godwit’s record-breaking flights continue to amaze ornithologists and underscore the incredible adaptations that allow these avian athletes to navigate the globe.
