The Incredible Strength and Endurance of 5 Migratory Birds: Flying Thousands of Miles Nonstop

Bird migration is a spectacle that has long fascinated humans. Migratory birds traverse great distances to find more or better resources, including food and nesting locations. These amazing journeys, like the 55,900-mile one by the Arctic Tern, reveal the true strength and endurance of our winged friends.

1. The World’s Longest Migration

Source: Brut America/Youtube

The Arctic Tern doesn’t just beat every bird for the longest migration – this species holds the records for the longest migration in the animal kingdom. Their lifetime journey is equivalent to 4 trips between the Earth and the moon. A small seabird, the Arctic Tern travels 96,000 km or 55,900 miles per year. They set off from Antarctica to the other side of the world to reproduce, continuing along the coast of various continents for up to 100 days.

2. The Highest Flyers

Source: CGTN/Youtube

The Bar-headed Goose is a black, grey, and white bird that looks like most other geese. But, they have one very special talent: they are the highest-flying migratory bird. Setting out from Pakistan and India, in the Southern Himalayas, they traverse some of the highest mountains in the world, all the way to China.

3. The Fastest Flight

Source: Steve Dahlfors/Youtube

The Great Snipe is an adorable bird that takes the trophy for the fastest long-haul flight. This video shows the bird shortly before winter migration where they reach up to 242 mph when diving to catch prey and 60 mph when flying from Scandinavia to sub-Saharan Africa.

4. Non-Stop Flyer

Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Youtube

This bird species, with a flicked-up long beak, is born in the northernmost parts of Alaska. The wetlands provide them with every nutrient they need until it is time to migrate. Every Spring, Bar-tailed Godwits migrate from Australia and New Zealand to northern Alaska where nesting takes place. This nine-day journey of over 9,000 miles is done nonstop.

5. Migration Sans Sky

Source: Nat Geo WILD/Youtube

Migration does not only take place in the sky. Emperor Penguins begin their migration as the Antarctic summer ends, traveling deeper into the cold. Their long 100-mile journey is done through far-below-freezing temperatures and strong winds. Once reaching their destination, male penguins starve themselves as they incubate their eggs.

In the skies, migratory birds paint a picture of endurance and strength through their ability to navigate long journeys. As they travel across oceans, continents, and the world they can reveal just how amazing the animal kingdom is.

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