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"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 t
by 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 agohow in the world do their bodies store so much energy?
- dr_orpheus 5y agoYeah, 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 agoI 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.