Usually, birds fly low, keeping themselves to the heights of their habitats. But migratory birds and birds of prey are known for their flights, which take them to great heights in the air. Let’s get introduced ourselves to some of the high altitude fliers in the bird family.
The powerful build of the bird along with a special adaptation in the form of a special variant of hemoglobin that enhance oxygen absorption at high altitudes allow the Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture to fly at heights 2,427 m higher than the Mount Everest. Their extreme eyesight allow the bird to spot prey or carcass from their elevated heights.
The Whooper swan is the national bird of Finland. While migrating, they form large flocks and use a variety of signaling movements for flying in formations.
They are reportedly sighted at altitudes of 8,000 m (26,500 feet), skillfully flying over the tall peaks of the Himalayas.
This vulture species is also known as the bone eater, as it feeds almost exclusively on carcass bones. They are known to carry large bones to heights of hundreds of feet in flight before dropping them on rocks below in order to break them into small pieces before consumption. They have a specially adapted digestive system, which aids them in effortlessly digesting the bone they eat. The Bearded vulture species is declining in their population largely due to human intervention into their habitats.
This immense raptor, which usually depend on thermals to stay in flight, are known to reach heights of 6,500 m (21,300 feet) while flying. The Andean condors are much celebrated in the South American folklore and is the national symbol of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
1. Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture – The highest flying bird on our planet
Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, an enormous vulture found in the Sahel region of central Africa, is the highest flying bird on Earth. Flying at altitudes of 11,300 m (37,000 feet) above sea level, this critically endangered species of vulture, amazes us with its ability to fly in heights that commercial aircrafts use. On November 29, 1973, a Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture collided with an airliner flying at 11,278 m over Abidjan, Ivory Coast, making it a recorded incident for the highest flight made by the species.
The powerful build of the bird along with a special adaptation in the form of a special variant of hemoglobin that enhance oxygen absorption at high altitudes allow the Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture to fly at heights 2,427 m higher than the Mount Everest. Their extreme eyesight allow the bird to spot prey or carcass from their elevated heights.
2. Common Crane
Common crane, or Eurasian crane common to Asia and Northern Europe often fly at altitudes of 10,000 m (33,000 feet) while migrating to northern Africa during winter, making them the second highest flying bird species. While crossing the Himalayas, they fly at these extreme altitudes to avoid predatory Eagles in the mountain pass.
3. Bar-headed Goose
Bar-headed goose, which dwell in the high-altitude lakes in Asia, is another bird species that flies over the mighty Himalayas while migrating to Indian sub-continent during winter. This species, which is named so because of the two dark bars around their head, is known to fly at heights of 8,800 m (29,000 feet) while crossing over Mount Everest. Their high capacity lungs along with special adaptations, which enhance oxygen absorption make them comfortable while flying at high altitudes.
4. Whooper Swan
Whooper swan or Common swan, found in the wetlands of Europe and Asia, are large migratory birds, which are known to fly at altitudes in excess of 8,000 m during their seasonal journeys towards southern Europe and eastern Asia during winter. These birds, which are known for their deep whooping call, are powerful fliers, and a flock of these swans have been recorded flying at a height of 8,200 m (27,000 feet) over Northern Ireland.
The Whooper swan is the national bird of Finland. While migrating, they form large flocks and use a variety of signaling movements for flying in formations.
5. Alpine Chough
Alpine chough, a mountain dwelling bird in the crow family, is believed to make their nest at a higher altitude than any other bird species. Found in the mountains from Spain to China, they are specially adapted for living in the high altitudes and are known to make their nests at heights of 21,000 feet.
They are reportedly sighted at altitudes of 8,000 m (26,500 feet), skillfully flying over the tall peaks of the Himalayas.
6. Bearded Vulture
Bearded vulture, also known as the lammergeier are large species of vultures found in the mountainous areas of Europe, Asia and Africa. Named after the tuft of dark feathers or beard under their beak, this bird of prey is perfectly adapted to flight above mountainous regions and are spotted at altitudes of 7,300 m (24,000 feet).
This vulture species is also known as the bone eater, as it feeds almost exclusively on carcass bones. They are known to carry large bones to heights of hundreds of feet in flight before dropping them on rocks below in order to break them into small pieces before consumption. They have a specially adapted digestive system, which aids them in effortlessly digesting the bone they eat. The Bearded vulture species is declining in their population largely due to human intervention into their habitats.
7. Andean Condor
Andean condor, belonging to the group of birds known as the American Vultures, are common to the Andes Mountains and the Pacific coasts of South America. With massive wings that span over 10 feet and weight in excess of 10 kg these birds of prey are one of the main contestant for the world’s largest flying bird.
This immense raptor, which usually depend on thermals to stay in flight, are known to reach heights of 6,500 m (21,300 feet) while flying. The Andean condors are much celebrated in the South American folklore and is the national symbol of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
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