Epic Journeys: Birds That Travel Vast Distances Every Year 

27/MARCH/ 2025

Common Swift

Spending most of its life in the air, this agile flyer covers over 200,000 kilometres a year. It eats, sleeps, and even mates while airborne, staying aloft for months without touching the ground. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Amur Falcon

These small but powerful raptors migrate an astonishing 22,000 kilometres each year between Asia and Africa. Their journey includes an uninterrupted flight across the Indian Ocean—one of nature’s most impressive feats. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Arctic Tern

A true global wanderer, the Arctic tern makes a round-trip between the Arctic and Antarctic, travelling more than 70,000 kilometres annually. No other animal experiences as much daylight throughout the year. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Bar-Tailed Godwit

Renowned for its endurance, this wading bird completes a nonstop journey of over 11,000 kilometres from Alaska to New Zealand. It survives the long flight by storing energy beforehand, making refuelling stops unnecessary. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Northern  Wheatear 

Despite its small size, this songbird undertakes a 14,000-kilometre migration from Arctic breeding grounds to Africa. It navigates vast deserts and oceans with remarkable precision. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Pectoral Sandpiper

Travelling over 13,000 kilometres annually, this migratory shorebird moves between Arctic nesting areas and South American wetlands, perfectly timing its journey to match seasonal changes in food availability. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Red Knot

One of the most dedicated long-distance travellers, the red knot flies over 15,000 kilometres each way between the Arctic and Argentina. It relies on critical stopover sites to replenish energy along the route. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Sooty Shearwater

A master of ocean navigation, this seabird follows seasonal wind patterns around the Pacific, covering approximately 65,000 kilometres per year in search of fish and squid. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Swainson’s Hawk

Migrating between North and South America, this raptor covers more than 20,000 kilometres annually. It soars in large groups called "kettles," using warm air currents to glide effortlessly across continents. 

Photo Credit :: Google

Wandering  Albatross

With the largest wingspan of any bird, this legendary seabird glides across vast oceans with minimal effort. Over its lifetime, it covers millions of kilometres, rarely needing to land as it rides the wind for weeks at a time.

Photo Credit :: Google

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