What Birds Fly The Highest?

Ever wondered what kind of birds can fly the highest? Sure, you have seen eagles and hawks soar over your head. But who’s the highest flyer among them?

Here’s a list of 10 birds that reach the highest point.

1) Rüppell’s Vultures

Rüppell’s Vultures fly the highest. These Birds have been known to fly at altitudes of up to 11,300 meters (37,100 feet). They live at altitudes of 9,000 meters (29,500 feet) in the Himalayan mountains and fly as high as 18,000 meters (59,100 feet) to cross over the mountain range. They have a wingspan of about 2 meters (7 feet). The birds can stay aloft for up to 30 days.

2) Common crane

Common cranes are second to Rüppell’s Vultures when it comes to flying high. With an altitude of 10,000 meters (33,000 ft), these birds have a wingspan of up to 2.2 meters (7 feet). They live in Europe and Asia.

3) Bar-headed goose

These birds can fly up to 8,800 meters (29,000 feet) above sea level. They are the best flyers among waterfowl in terms of altitude. Their wingspan is about 2 meters (7 feet), and they live in Central Asia.

4) Whooper swan

These birds have a wingspan of about 1.5 meters (4 feet) and can fly as high as 8000 meters (26,000 ft). They migrate to the Arctic from sub-Saharan Africa and live in Iceland and Scotland. They are also found in northern Eurasia.

5) Alpine chough

These birds have a wingspan of about 1.3 meters (4 feet). They live in the Himalayas and migrate to Pakistan, Kashmir, India, and Tibet. Their flight altitude is up to 8000 meters (26,000 ft).

6) Bearded vulture

Another vulture, but can’t fly as high as the rüppels vulture. These birds live in the Himalayas and Tibet and can fly up to 7,300 meters (24,000 feet).

7) Andean condor

The Andean condors have a wingspan of about 3.3 meters (11 feet) and can fly as high as 6,600 meters (21,800 feet). They live in South America.

8) Mallard duck

The mallard ducks have a wingspan of about 1.2 meters (4 feet). They can fly as high as 6,400 meters (21,000 ft) and live in Europe and North America.

Bird watchers love to keep tabs on high-flying birds. Sometimes they need binoculars or telescopes to spot them from afar. They sometimes take long hikes just to see these fantastic creatures that can so easily make their way across the sky without any sign of effort!

9) Bar-tailed godwit

The bar-tailed godwit can fly as high as 6000 meters (20000 ft). The bird flies thousands of kilometers to travel from Alaska to New Zealand. Many migrate via the small island called North Island in New Zealand. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 meters (4 feet) and are also found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

10) White stork

The white storks fly at an altitude of 4800 meters (16,000 feet). They travel to Africa via Europe every year and return in March. They are found in Europe and parts of Asia.

Long story short!

The highest ever recorded by birds was 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) above sea level, by a Rüppell’s Vulture. These birds art not only very big but also very good flyer and able to rise high into the air at a brisk pace when it needs to catch up with fast moving animals such as wildebeests in Africa. Their wingspan is about 2 meters (7 feet), while the common crane has the longest wingspan among all birds, which is about 2.2 meters (7 feet).

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