SRINAGAR: A migratory bird has stunned scientists by completing the longest recorded non-stop flight by any animal, travelling 13,560 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean without landing once.
The feat was recorded in 2022 when a young Bar‑tailed godwit tagged B6 flew from Alaska to Tasmania in 11 days of continuous flight, according to tracking data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Researchers said the bird covered the distance without stopping to eat, drink or rest on land, flying across open ocean for nearly two weeks.
The bar-tailed godwit, a large migratory shorebird that breeds in Arctic regions of Alaska and Siberia, is known for undertaking some of the longest migrations on Earth. During winter, many populations travel thousands of kilometres to warmer regions such as New Zealand and Australia.
Scientists say birds preparing for such journeys undergo remarkable physiological changes. Before departure, the godwits rapidly build fat reserves that can account for nearly half their body weight. At the same time, organs such as the stomach, liver and intestines temporarily shrink, allowing the bird to store more fuel and reduce body weight during flight.
Despite the demanding journey, the birds maintain steady speeds that can exceed 55 kilometres per hour while crossing vast stretches of ocean.
Navigation during the migration relies on several natural cues. Researchers say godwits use Earth’s magnetic field, the position of the Sun and stars, and atmospheric signals to guide their flight. Special light-sensitive proteins in the birds’ eyes, known as cryptochromes, are believed to help detect magnetic fields and act as a biological compass.
The birds also employ a rare survival adaptation known as unihemispheric sleep, in which one half of the brain rests while the other remains active, allowing them to continue flying while partially asleep.
Experts say such migrations highlight the extraordinary endurance and navigational ability of birds. The record-setting journey of B6 remains the longest documented non-stop flight by any known animal, demonstrating the remarkable adaptations that enable migratory species to cross continents and oceans.
