While traveling for a few hours is quite boring for us humans, hundreds of times this time is considered normal when it comes to birds. However, there is one species of bird that does The time it stays in the air is enough to make you stop saying anything.

Agree How long can a bird fly without taking a break?

In the 1970s, scientists suggested that swallows could fly through the air for quite a long time without taking a break.

Although this theory was only confirmed in 2016, a team from Lund University in Sweden, He decided to put thirteen adult swallows under the microscope. The researchers used data loggers with accelerometers to record flight activity and light level sensors for location detection.

These birds have been monitored during the winter months for several years He migrated from Sweden to the south of the Sahara. The results obtained almost confirmed the theories.

Three of the thirteen swallows were only on land for two months a year to breed. He remained suspended in the air for the remaining ten months.

Average of these birds 40 grams Ten months in the air was a huge achievement for them, considering that

When the researchers wanted to look at the differences between these 3 birds and the other 10, they came across a surprising result. Swallows make short-term flights and spend time on land as well as in the air. There was no change in the wing feathers.

However, those who continued to fly for 10 months His feathers had fallen out and new ones had grown. According to scientists, whether or not they underwent a feather change was directly proportional to their flight time.

How can these swallows stay in the air for so long?

After all, physical activities require a certain amount of energy, but swallows have the adaptation to use less energy during long flights. Also with their streamlined body shapes long and narrow wings It also makes these performances possible.

“Do these creatures never sleep?” As you say, the answer to this question is still unclear. Scientists estimate that swallows can currently sleep while floating in the air, much like frigate birds.

But one thing is certain: 10 months of non-stop flyingwhich is no easy task.

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