The world’s top ten highest flying birds revealed
World’s top ten high-flying birds, including vultures, white cranes, bar-headed geese, etc. They rely on their amazing flying heights and endurance migration, and have unique ecological habits and survival strategies, writing legends in nature.
In the vast natural world, birds are known for their unique flying abilities. Not only can they soar freely in the sky, but they can also fly over mountains during migration, showing amazing flying heights and endurance. Today, let us take a wonderful journey into the world of birds and explore the extraordinary features of the world’s top ten high-flying birds.
1. Vulture – King of the sky, flying at an altitude of 37,000 feet
Among all birds, vultures stand out with their amazing flying heights, becoming the flying champions of the bird world. They can easily fly to an altitude of 37,000 feet (about 11,278 meters), which is close to the cruising altitude of some commercial aircraft. The reason why vultures can adapt to such a thin atmosphere is due to their unique hemoglobin structure, which can effectively increase the intake of oxygen.
The wingspan of a vulture is usually between 7.54 and 8.2 feet (about 2.3 to 2.5 meters), and the weight is about 15 to 20 pounds (about 6.8 to 9.1 kilograms). As scavengers, vultures have keen eyesight and can look down from high altitudes to find potential prey. During flight, vultures can maintain a speed of 22 miles per hour (about 35.4 kilometers) and stay in the air for a long time.
2. White Crane: Graceful Messenger Flying Across the Himalayas
The Siberian Crane, also known as the Eurasian Crane, is known for its graceful movements and remarkable flying abilities. This medium-sized bird has a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet (about 1.8 to 2.4 meters) and is able to soar over the Himalayas during migration, reaching altitudes of up to 33,000 feet (about 10,058 meters).
The Siberian Crane is a typical migratory bird that flies to North Africa to spend the winter. During migration, the Siberian Crane usually flies in a V-formation to save energy. Their unique calls, extremely long legs and unique tail feathers make them particularly conspicuous both in the air and on the ground.
3. Bar-headed geese: the miracle of flying over Mount Everest
The bar-headed goose, which lives in Central Asia, is known for its amazing flying ability. They can fly over Mount Everest and reach an altitude of 29,000 feet (about 8,839 meters). The bar-headed goose has a larger lung capacity and more blood cells than other geese, which can increase heart output during flight to adapt to the lack of oxygen in the high altitude environment.
In winter, bar-headed geese migrate south, sometimes covering 1,000 miles in a single day. They usually inhabit high-altitude lakes and feed on aquatic plants.
4. Mute swans: elegant singers in the sky
The mute swan is striking for its distinctive black and yellow beak and long neck. They are usually found in wetlands, lakes and grasslands in southern Eurasia. During migration, mute swans usually fly in a V-formation, reaching altitudes of up to 27,000 feet (about 8,229 meters).
Although they typically maintain an altitude of around 8,000 feet during migration, they have been recorded reaching higher altitudes. They feed on aquatic plants, insects and small fish and make loud calls during the breeding season.
5. Alpine vultures: nesting experts at high altitudes
The Alpine Griffon vulture lives in the high mountains of Central and South Asia and is known for its exceptional flying ability and high-altitude nesting habits. Their nests are usually built at an altitude of 21,000 feet (about 6,401 meters) or more, making them among the highest bird nests in the world.
The Alpine vulture has excellent flying skills and can fly in the coldest winters and the worst wind conditions. They usually live in alpine meadows and rocky areas, feeding on insects, small mammals and carrion. In addition, the Alpine vulture often forages in areas with human activities, such as picnic areas and mountain restaurants.
6. Bearded Vulture: Bone-eating expert, soaring into the sky
The bearded vulture is a large bird of prey found in the mountains of southern Europe. They have a wingspan of 8 to 9 feet (about 2.4 to 2.7 meters) and a height of 4 feet (about 1.2 meters), and weigh between 11 and 15 pounds (about 5 to 6.8 kilograms). The bearded vulture is known for its unique diet, which specializes in eating bones of carrion, which it can break down and digest using stomach acid.
During flight, the bearded vulture can easily reach an altitude of 24,000 feet (about 7,315 meters). They usually live in rugged mountain environments and feed on carrion. When they find large prey, the bearded vulture will take it into the air and throw it down to break the bones and enjoy the marrow.
7. Mallard: Amphibious Migration Expert
Mallards, also known as wild ducks, are widely distributed in Europe and North America. They are eye-catching with their unique green head feathers and yellow beaks. Mallards usually live in lakes, rivers and swamps, feeding on aquatic plants, insects and small fish.
During migration, mallards can fly thousands of miles to reach warmer winters in the south. They usually fly in a V-formation to maintain flight efficiency. Although mallards usually maintain a flight altitude of 1,000 to 4,000 feet (about 305 to 1,219 meters), they have also been recorded reaching an amazing altitude of 21,000 feet (about 6,401 meters).
8. Bartholin’s Bustard – the world’s longest continuous migrant
Bart’s bustard, also known as the bar-tailed bustard, is known for its excellent flying ability and the longest continuous migration distance. They usually breed in places such as Siberia and Alaska, and then fly to New Zealand and Australia for wintering. During migration, Bart’s bustard can cover a distance of nearly 6,000 miles (about 9,656 kilometers) without resting.
Barth’s bustards have long, wide wings and strong leg muscles that enable them to maintain high speeds during long-distance migrations. At the peak of migration, they can easily reach a flight altitude of 20,000 feet (about 6,096 meters).
9. White Stork – Gliding Master, Hot Air Balloon Across Europe
The white stork is a large wading bird known for its graceful movements and remarkable gliding abilities. It has a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet (about 2.3 meters) and a neck up to 45 inches long. The white stork is usually found in warm areas of West Central Asia and Europe, feeding on small fish, insects and mollusks.
During migration, white storks use thermal currents to glide to save energy. They usually gather together to form large flocks and fly across the European continent together. Although white storks do not fly very fast, they can easily reach a flight altitude of 16,000 feet (about 4,877 meters) with their excellent gliding ability and keen perception of thermal currents.
10. Andean Condor – King of the South American Sky
The Andean condor, also known as the South American vulture, is a large bird of prey found in South America. With a wingspan of up to 10 feet (about 3 meters) and a weight of up to 33 pounds (about 15 kilograms), the Andean condor is known for its unique flying ability and graceful posture in the air.
During flight, the Andean condor can easily reach an altitude of 15,000 feet (about 4,572 meters). They usually live in the highlands and grasslands of South America, feeding on carrion and small mammals. The Andean condor has an important symbolic meaning in South American culture, representing freedom, strength and health.
Through the exploration of the world’s top ten high-flying birds, it is not difficult to find that these birds not only have amazing flying abilities, but also have their own unique ecological habits and survival strategies. With their excellent flying skills and adaptability, they write their own legends in nature.