Bar-tailed godwit breaks world record

[bear66]

Another amazing bird story. Averaged 55mph for 11 days.
Jet fighter godwit

 

[Lefty]

I've heard of bar-tailed godwits before, but I had no idea they were such remarkable fliers.

In terms of non stop and long distance flyers I tend to think of albatrosses, geese, arctic terns, swifts and condors

 

[bear66]

I've heard of bar-tailed godwits before, but I had no idea they were such remarkable fliers.

In terms of non stop and long distance flyers I tend to think of albatrosses, geese, arctic terns, swifts and condors

First I've heard of this as well.

Bar tailed godwits are seasonal (November to March) but quite common at Saltholme through that period. A relatively large wading bird, they're a nice sight.

 

[coluka]

I have never seen nor heard the name before, the nearest I can recall is a ‘bar-fuelled f*ckwit‘ they were quite common until recently

 

[Lefty]

I have never seen nor heard the name before, the nearest I can recall is a ‘bar-fuelled f*ckwit‘ they were quite common until recently

Yeah, where is Coops these days?

 

[Ironops]

Another amazing bird story. Averaged 55mph for 11 days.
Jet fighter godwit

Any idea what altitude they flew at?

 

[bear66]

Any idea what altitude they flew at?

I think the GPS is point to point that they then estimate the distance. No altitude information available!

 

[Lefty]

Yeah, but they didn't go over the Himalayas, the slackers.

 

[bear66]

Yeah, but they didn't go over the Himalayas, the slackers.

Bar tail godwits have been seen at about 20,000 feet. 27,000 is the highest observed bird flight (whooper swan).

They could fly over the Himalayas, just not over Everest.

 

[Lefty]

Bar tail godwits have been seen at about 20,000 feet. 27,000 is the highest observed bird flight (whooper swan).

They could fly over the Himalayas, just not over Everest.

I thought there was a vulture managed over 30,000?

 

[bear66]

I thought there was a vulture managed over 30,000?

You're right

 

[Lefty]

The Andean Condor surprises me, considering the height of the Andes.

 

[bear66]

The Andean Condor surprises me, considering the height of the Andes.

No food on the peaks perhaps.

 

[1finny]

The best OP title ever
And a great bit of info too

 

[Norman_Conquest]

I've never seen one of these but I have seen a 'house fly' and a 'sausage roll.'

 

[Funky_Chicken]

That’s done going when you think about it - even a Tour de France winner couldn’t average that

 

[Laughing]

I do know swifts, while not averaging that speed do spend the first 2 years on the wing and never land until they lay there first clutch of eggs. That is, I believe, the longest single flight.