A tiny bird has stunned scientists and bird lovers around the world with an extraordinary journey across the planet, a young Bar – Tailed godwit known as B6 flew an astonishing 13,560 kilometres (8,425 miles) from Alaska to Tasmania without stopping.
Bar – Tailed godwits are large shorebirds famous for their epic migratory journeys. They breed in the Arctic regions of Alaska and Siberia and travel thousands of kilometres to warmer wintering grounds in Australia and New Zealand.
Preparing for such a journey requires extreme physical changes before takeoff B6 built up huge fat reserves, nearly doubling it’s body weight.
During the flight the birds body shrank organs like the stomach and liver to reduce weight and conserve energy. Godwits rely on earth’s magnetic field, the sun and the stars to guide them across vast oceans. They can sleep even when flying using a method where one – half of the brain rests while the other remains alert. Isn’t it such an amazing bird ?
