The bar-tailed godwit completes the longest non-stop migration of any animal on Earth.

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Covering over 13,000 kilometers in a single flight, the bar-tailed godwit pushes biological limits. To fuel these epic journeys between the Arctic and the Southern Hemisphere, these birds undergo radical physiological changes, including shrinking their own digestive organs to maximize fat storage and energy efficiency during their non-stop transoceanic crossings.

The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a master of long-distance endurance. While many migratory birds pause to refuel, the subspecies L. l. baueri performs a remarkable non-stop flight from Alaska to New Zealand. In 2022, a juvenile bird tracked by satellite flew a record-breaking 13,560 kilometers in just over 11 days. These journeys are so demanding that the birds must carry massive fat loads, often catabolizing their own lean tissue and reducing the size of their digestive organs to sustain flight for thousands of kilometers.

These birds are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, often predicting weather patterns to utilize high-pressure systems that provide essential wind assistance. Their migration routes are not random; they rely on specific staging grounds, such as the Yalu Jiang estuary in the Yellow Sea, to rest and refuel. However, this reliance makes them vulnerable. The loss of these critical intertidal mudflats due to seawall construction and land reclamation has been linked to declining survival rates and population drops across the species.

Sexual dimorphism also plays a role in their survival strategies. Males and females often exhibit different foraging behaviors, with females frequently consuming deeply buried prey like worms, while males may specialize in surface-level invertebrates. This division of labor allows them to exploit resources more effectively in their non-breeding grounds. Despite their resilience, the species is currently classified as Near Threatened, with populations in regions like New Zealand showing significant declines over the last several decades, prompting increased conservation efforts under international agreements.

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