Which is the highest flying migratory bird? How high can it fly?
Answer (2)
The bar-headed goose is the highest flying migratory bird, known to reach altitudes of up to 29,000 feet during migration. They migrate from Central Asia to India, crossing the Himalayas. Their adaptations allow them to thrive in low oxygen environments at high altitudes.
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The highest flying migratory bird is the Bar-headed Goose . This remarkable bird is known for migrating over the Himalayas, including flying over Mount Everest, one of the highest peaks on Earth.
How high can it fly?
Bar-headed Geese have been recorded flying at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet (approximately 9,100 meters). This is extraordinary, considering that commercial airplanes generally cruise at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet.
Why can it fly so high?
Adaptations: Bar-headed Geese possess special adaptations that help them thrive at such high altitudes, where oxygen levels are significantly lower. Their hemoglobin, the protein in blood that carries oxygen, binds oxygen more effectively than that of other birds. This allows them to acquire the necessary oxygen for their high-altitude flights.
Large Wings: They also have large wings relative to their body size, which helps with efficient flight in thin air.
Unique Flight Strategy: These geese often take advantage of wind currents and are known to fly at night to minimize energy expenditure and avoid overheating.
Their extraordinary flying ability and adaptations make the Bar-headed Goose a fascinating subject of study for biologists interested in animal physiology and migration patterns.
