2 ms·

I immediately smelled bullshit in the headline because surely they don't mean non-stop in the literal sense. An animal has to eat! But no, I was wrong, these bi

I immediately smelled bullshit in the headline because surely they don't mean non-stop in the literal sense. An animal has to eat! But no, I was wrong, these birds fly 8+ days in a row without sleep or food (or a complete mental breakdown, presumably). Though I do find it odd the article doesn't discuss the food and sleep issue more.

jychang 5y ago
The bird isn't flapping for 8+ days straight, burning calories. They're soaring with their wings locked, more akin to a glider. With lower energy use, lower food consumption is needed. No animal can actively move their muscles 8+ days straight without refueling.* *[Citation needed], because nature loves to prove me wrong
- dr_orpheus 5y ago
  "Unlike albatross or other long-flying seabirds, godwits are active flyers, not gliders—their wings are moving the whole time." The article seems to indicate that they are, in fact, flapping their wings the whole time.
  - adamrezich 5y ago
    how in the world do their bodies store so much energy?
    - dr_orpheus 5y ago
      Yeah, that part I'm not clear on. Some birds do rely mostly on airborne insects for food. Another article I linked in this thread had a note that swifts primarily eat airborne insects and can stay aloft for 10 months at a time.
    - julian37 5y ago
      I came here wondering the same thing. A random google search turned up this: https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/science/five-bird-species-that-make-the-longest-migrations/ https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/science/five-bird-spe... > Researchers have learned that digestive tracts of long-distance migrants work overtime prior to migration. Food intake is increased, and the food is metabolized and stored as fat, which serves as the birds’ flight fuel. Bar-tailed Godwits store fat until it makes up about one half their weight. Then the digestive system shuts down so metabolic energy can be maximized for muscle use. Astounding.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

jychang 5y ago

The bird isn't flapping for 8+ days straight, burning calories. They're soaring with their wings locked, more akin to a glider. With lower energy use, lower food consumption is needed. No animal can actively move their muscles 8+ days straight without refueling.* *[Citation needed], because nature loves to prove me wrong

dr_orpheus 5y ago
"Unlike albatross or other long-flying seabirds, godwits are active flyers, not gliders—their wings are moving the whole time." The article seems to indicate that they are, in fact, flapping their wings the whole time.
- adamrezich 5y ago
  how in the world do their bodies store so much energy?
  - dr_orpheus 5y ago
    Yeah, that part I'm not clear on. Some birds do rely mostly on airborne insects for food. Another article I linked in this thread had a note that swifts primarily eat airborne insects and can stay aloft for 10 months at a time.
  - julian37 5y ago
    I came here wondering the same thing. A random google search turned up this: https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/science/five-bird-species-that-make-the-longest-migrations/ https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/science/five-bird-spe... > Researchers have learned that digestive tracts of long-distance migrants work overtime prior to migration. Food intake is increased, and the food is metabolized and stored as fat, which serves as the birds’ flight fuel. Bar-tailed Godwits store fat until it makes up about one half their weight. Then the digestive system shuts down so metabolic energy can be maximized for muscle use. Astounding.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]