Where do birds rest when they fly over the sea?

In the world of birds, some individuals are capable of truly amazing feats, such as flying for more than five hours without flapping their wings, or flying for more than 10 months straight. But spending too much time in the air can tire even the most experienced aviators. So, where do birds rest when they are flying over the sea? Let’s take a look.

For some birds, the best strategy is not to stop at all. A 2021 study looked at five species that flew long distances during fall migration and discovered these fast-rising species, including the peregrine falcon (Peregrine falcon).Hayabusa) and osprey (Pandion Harrietus), relied on stable wind conditions to generate lift, which helped save energy on long journeys.

“Until recently, sea level rise was thought to be weak or non-existent. We show that this is not the case,” lead author Elham Nourani said in a statement. “Instead, we found that migratory birds adjust their flight routes to take advantage of the best wind and uplift conditions as they fly over the ocean. This allows them to maintain flights over hundreds of kilometers. I can.”

According to the RSBP, it is estimated that 2,000 species (20% of the world’s total bird population) are regular migrants, although some believe the number is even higher. Some land-based migrants designate stops that have been used for generations, but researchers have found that more birds leave their ships to rest than previously thought. I have discovered that it is being used as a place.

“In the ornithological literature, ship calls are considered exceptional and anecdotal events,” the authors of a paper published in 2022 wrote. However, these researchers conducted marine research operations within the Mediterranean Sea and recorded 13 different species of birds visiting ships. Boat on a 25 day expedition.

The researchers found that the median time the birds spent perched on the boat was 42 minutes, suggesting that this time may have been relatively short due to the lack of food resources available for the birds to forage on the boat. I think there is. But the researchers believe most of the birds chose to stop because they faced bad weather or were unwell and needed a rest.

Using data on birds, they estimate that around 4 million birds may use ships in the central Mediterranean as a staging area, and further research on the impact of maritime traffic on autumn migration. This suggests that research is needed.