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List of birds by flight heights

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Common cranes flying

Migratory birds and birds of prey can reach substantial heights while flying. This list gives the highest recorded flights for various species (limited to observations of 4,500 metres/15,000 feet and above).

Birds by flight height

Bird Image Specie Family Maximum height Details
Rüppell's vulture Gyps rueppellii Accipitridae 11,300 metres (37,100 feet).[1][2] Vultures use their excellent eyesight to scan the landscape below from a relatively static aerial position. Instead of flying over a larger distance, they use elevation to expand their field of vision. If they spot a meal down below, the climb has an immediate payoff.[citation needed]
Common crane Grus grus Gruidae 10,000 metres (33,000 feet) This height was recorded above the Himalayas.[2] This great height allows them to avoid eagles in mountain passes.[2]
Bar-headed goose Anser indicus Anatidae 8,800 metres (29,000 feet)[2][3][4] They also fly over the peaks of the Himalayas on their migratory path.[3]
Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus Anatidae 8,200 metres (27,000 feet) This height was attained by a flock of whooper swans flying over Northern Ireland, and recorded by radar.[2][4]
Alpine chough Pyrrhocorax graculus Corvidae 8,000 metres (26,500 feet) This height was recorded on Mount Everest.[4]
Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus Accipitridae 7,300 metres (24,000 feet).[1]
Andean condor Vultur gryphus Cathartidae 6,500 metres (21,300 feet)[5]
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Anatidae 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) This height was recorded over Nevada.[1][3][4]
Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica Scolopacidae 6,000 metres (20,000 feet)[4][6] It can reach this height while migrating.
White stork Ciconia ciconia Ciconiidae 4,800 metres (16,000 feet).[6] It can reach this height while migrating.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Laybourne, Roxie C. (December 1974). "Collision between a Vulture and an Aircraft at an Altitude of 37,000 Feet". The Wilson Bulletin. 86 (4). Wilson Ornithological Society: 461–462. ISSN 0043-5643. JSTOR 4160546. OCLC 46381512.
  2. ^ a b c d e Carwardine, Mark (2008). Animal Records. Sterling. p. 124. ISBN 1402756232.
  3. ^ a b c Lincoln, Frederick C. (1999). Migration of Birds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. p. 30. ISBN 0160617014.
  4. ^ a b c d e Whiteman, Lily (2000). "The High Life". Audubon. 102 (6): 104–108. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Gargiulo, Carolina Natalia (2012). Distribución y situación actual del cóndor andino (Vultur gryphus) en las sierras centrales de Argentina (PDF) (Thesis). Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  6. ^ a b Elphick, Jonathan (2007). The Atlas of Bird Migration: Tracing the Great Journeys of the World's Birds. Struik. p. 23. ISBN 1770074996.
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