Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Stunning non-stop bird flight

Forwarding this email from my friend Jim Pawlicki:

WE CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED BY HOW FAR BIRDS FLY NON-STOP

Ten satellite-tagged Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) in the southwestern Pacific are providing a glimpse into the migratory powers of birds. One bird left New Zealand and flew non-stop to the northern end of the Yellow Sea in China, a distance of 10,200 km. The Godwit's flight required about 9 days of continuous flight, and is now the longest recorded non-stop flight of any bird. Three other tagged Godwits have reached China in non-stop flights that lasted between 6.5 and 7.5 days. The progress of the Godwit migration can be monitored at www.werc.usgs.gov/sattrack/shorebirds/overall.html.

All I have to say: Wow.

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