Common Swift Shatters Flight Endurance Records, Stays Airborne for Nearly 10 Months
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A groundbreaking study confirms the extraordinary aerial life of the common swift (Apus apus), revealing the bird can remain in continuous flight for up to 10 months – a record-breaking feat of endurance in the animal kingdom.
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have definitively proven what ornithologists long suspected: the common swift spends the vast majority of its life soaring through the skies. The findings, published in the journal Current Biology, are based on detailed tracking data gathered using miniature recording devices.
Uninterrupted Flight: A Life Aloft
The research team equipped adult common swifts with small devices incorporating accelerometers and light sensors. These tools meticulously recorded flight activity and tracked the birds’ movements during their annual migration between breeding grounds in Northern Europe and wintering locations in Africa.
Observation revealed that these birds spend approximately two months of each year on land, solely for breeding purposes. The remaining 99% of their lives are spent in the air. “Some individuals were recorded as having never landed for a period of almost 10 months,” according to the study. This astonishing endurance far surpasses that of other long-distance migratory birds.
Evolutionary Adaptations for Perpetual Flight
Weighing just 40 grams, the common swift possesses a uniquely streamlined body and long, narrow wings. This specialized wing shape is optimized for generating maximum lift with minimal energy expenditure. The birds are capable of performing essential life functions while airborne, including feeding on insects caught mid-flight and drinking by gulping raindrops or briefly touching the surface of lakes.
Perhaps even more remarkably, common swifts can even molt – change their wing feathers – while still flying. This behavior contrasts sharply with birds that land more frequently, which typically molt while grounded. Researchers theorize this difference may be linked to physical condition and parasite loads, influencing individual flight patterns.
The Mystery of Sleep and Energy Conservation
One of the most intriguing questions remains: how, and when, do common swifts sleep? Researchers suspect they may enter a state of sleep while gliding, similar to frigate birds, which are known to take short naps during flight.
The birds’ energy-saving strategies are also noteworthy. Flocks often ascend to heights of 2-3 kilometers at dawn and dusk, utilizing warm air currents to glide efficiently. They also take advantage of thermal currents during the day to reduce energy consumption.
A New Benchmark in Avian Endurance
Compared to other long-distance travelers like albatrosses – which manage approximately two months of non-stop flight – and alpine swifts – with around six and a half months – the common swift’s endurance is unparalleled. The common swift now officially holds the record for the longest continuous flight of any known animal.
This research provides valuable insights into the evolution and adaptation of birds to extreme environments. Further studies are planned to unravel the mysteries surrounding their sleep patterns and migration strategies. The ability of the common swift to remain airborne for such extended periods opens up exciting new avenues for understanding the limits of avian physiology and behavior.
