CrowdScience
How high can birds fly?
Jan 24, 2025
Catherine Ivy, an assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan, studies how birds like bar-headed geese manage long migrations at high altitudes. Lucy Hawkes, an associate professor at the University of Exeter, explores the unique physiology that allows these geese to fly over the Himalayas. They discuss adaptations such as super-powered hearts and lungs, the challenges of thinner air and scarcity of oxygen, and share fascinating insights from their groundbreaking research on avian altitude capabilities.
27:10
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Quick takeaways
- Bar-headed geese showcase extraordinary evolutionary adaptations that enable them to soar over the Himalayas at extreme altitudes above 7,290 meters.
- Birds, including sparrows and cockatoos, possess unique lung adaptations that allow efficient oxygen extraction, crucial for flight in thin air.
Deep dives
The High-Flying Bar-Headed Goose
Bar-headed geese are recognized for their remarkable ability to fly at extreme altitudes, with notable observations made in the Himalayas. They have been documented flying over mountains like Makalu and even near the summit of Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters. These geese demonstrate the capability of reaching altitudes of around 7,290 meters, although they are generally more strategic in their migration routes, often opting for valleys rather than directly crossing high peaks. Physiological studies reveal that their efficient design features, including an enhanced blood supply to the heart, allow them to thrive in low-oxygen environments.
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