The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica baueri) holds the remarkable record for the longest bird migration without stopping, spanning approximately 13,560 kilometers (8,425 miles). This extraordinary feat was accomplished by a satellite-tagged juvenile bar-tailed godwit, famously known by its tracking number “234684“.
Departing from its starting point in Alaska, USA, on October 13, 2022, the bird traversed the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean before finally arriving in Ansons Bay, located in north-east Tasmania, Australia, a mere 11 days and one hour later.
Prior to embarking on their arduous journey, bar-tailed godwits, the longest migration bird so far, typically spend two months in Alaska, where they feed extensively in preparation for their migration to New Zealand, where the species’ summer breeding grounds are situated. During this period, male godwits may experience a doubling in size.
To accommodate the energy requirements necessary for their extensive flights, bar-tailed godwits, holding the title of the longest bird migration without stopping, possess the remarkable ability to reduce the size of their internal organs, making space for energy-rich fat reserves that will sustain them throughout their lengthy travels.
Their migration strategy involves continuous flight, both day and night, during which they may expend more than half of their body weight. Additionally, bar-tailed godwits are known to enhance the size of their chest muscles and heart while in flight, facilitating the efficient distribution of energy and oxygen essential for their endurance.
