Birds of the Bar-tailed Godwit species are experts at striking non-stop flights of hundreds of kilometers. 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 in one go. 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 one-third of the circumference of the earth. Bird migration started 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 flight has also taken a toll on the bird’s health. Birdlife Tasmania’s Eric Woehler says it has lost more than half its body weight after flying non-stop day and night. Migration of bar-tailed gowits often leads to loss of life.
Their feet are not able to keep them firmly on the surface of the water. During the migration, due to body fatigue or adverse 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