List of birds by flight heights

This is a list of birds that have been recorded flying at particularly high altitudes. The average altitude for avian flight during migration is 400—800 metres AGL.

Birds by flight height BirdImageSpeciesFamilyMaximum height (AMSL)DetailsRüppell's vultureGyps rueppelliiAccipitridaeVultures use their excellent eyesight to scan the landscape below from a relatively static aerial position. Instead of flying over a larger distance, they use elevation to expand their field of vision. A bird strike was recorded at this height in 1973.Common crane Grus grusGruidaeThis height was recorded above the Himalayas. This is atypical; the species typically alters its migration routes to avoid mountains. Across other parts of their range, they rarely reach altitudes higher than 1,000 metres.Bar-headed goose Anser indicusAnatidaeThey also fly over the peaks of the Himalayas on their migratory path.Great snipe Gallinago mediaScolopacidaeHighest known individual of a group of great snipe tagged with data loggers. The species regularly migrates at average heights of 2,000 m at night and 4,000 m during daytime, with most birds regularly reaching 6,000 m. These flights were typically 4,000–7,000 km non-stop, lasting 60–90 hours.Whooper swan Cygnus cygnusAnatidaeThis height was attained by a flock of about 30 whooper swans flying south from Iceland over western Scotland to Northern Ireland, recorded by air traffic control radar and verified by an airline pilot diverted to check. The birds were using a northerly jet stream wind in the lower stratosphere to speed their migration, despite the ambient -48°C temperature.Alpine choughPyrrhocorax graculusCorvidaeThis height was recorded on Mount Everest.Bearded vultureGypaetus barbatusAccipitridaeBlack kite Milvus migransAccipitridaeAndean condorVultur gryphusCathartidaeMallardAnas platyrhynchosAnatidaeThis height was recorded over Nevada; This record occurred when a Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop airliner operating a Western Airlines flight suffered a bird strike at cruising altitude.Bar-tailed godwitLimosa lapponicaScolopacidaeIt can reach this height while migrating.Black-tailed godwitLimosa limosaScolopacidaeThe highest recorded on migration, with birds tagged with data loggers regularly migrating at over 5,000 metres.White storkCiconia ciconiaCiconiidae.It can reach this height while migrating.

See also

Organisms at high altitude List of birds by flight speed

References