A flock of bar-tailed godwits.
The animal kingdom has a new migration-related record.
The bar-tailed godwit, known scientifically asLimosa lapponica, is a prodigious traveler.
A flock of bar-tailed godwits. (Photo: Ian Kirk viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY 2.0)
The young birds fattened themselves for the journey.
In fact, the species is even able to shrink its organs to pack on the necessary stored energy.
Likely flying with a pack, the young bird then took flight.
The lower-right bird is a bar-tailed godwit with “bars” on its wings visible. (Photo: Paul van de Velde viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY 2.0)
Researchers used the 5D satellite tag number 234684 attached to the bird to track his progress over the waters.
The record-breaking flight stretched 8,426 miles, and took the bird 11 days and 1 hour.
The satellite data indicates it did not stop once across this incredible journey.
Migratory patterns of the five subspecies of Limosa lapponica. (Photo: Onioram viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
The lower-right bird is a bar-tailed godwit with bars on its wings visible.
Migratory patterns of the five subspecies of Limosa lapponica.
(Photo: Onioram viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
Wonderful news on ultramarathon flying Bar-tailed Godwits.
Satellite tracked bird has flown NONSTOP from Alaska to Tasmania for the first time!
Thanks@miranda_trust, Max Planck Institute and others for this work drawing our world together.
