The World's Longest Non-Stop Flight

The bar-tailed godwit makes the longest nonstop flight of any bird: From Alaska to New Zealand. And they have to shrink their organs to do it.

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Host: Hank Green (He/Him)
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[Tanyajenkins]

And we have 1800 of these amazing Godwits in Christchurch New Zealand RIGHT NOW. Each year in early March we host a ceremony to "wish them a safe trip home in Alaska". Awesome video.

[krisjonesuk]

I live close to an estuary on the east coast of England. We get many Bar-tailed Godwits on the river here from October till early April. Once they develop their summer plumage they migrate. A local ornithologist recently identified one that had been ringed in Iceland 19 years ago!

[Neotenico]

I can't imagine the complex system of biological triggers and pathways required for an animal to REABSORB ITS ORGAN TISSUES. I'm curious if that process is exclusive to just the one subspecies or if it happens for all bar-tailed godwits before migration. Because that seems like it would be a pretty dramatic genetic difference, enough to classify as a separate species (especially in the ornithology field which, from what I've learned from my uncle's work, seems to be much more gene focused when it comes to taxonomy).

[klaasdeboer]

We have black tailed Godwits here around Amsterdam. I love the their call, it is the soud of spring arriving!

[ninjaswordtothehead]

Imagine how awesome it would be to walk down to the beach, *and then fly across the ocean using your body, * just so you could chill in another country for a bit. That'd be pretty cool.

[win]

nature is showing admirable, especially the migratory shorebirds are amazing. Thanks for working and sharing such a valuable information about the Bar-tailed godwit and their migration.

[Hasmanian]

Around Vancouver BC, the average Canada goose migrates in the neighborhood of 50 metres.

[celerystox]

Did anyone else think Hank said the "Great Frigginbird"? 🤣

[ljphoenix]

Having been to Miranda Shorebird Centre, and the Firth of Thames in NZ, where a lot of the Godwits live when in New Zealand, it's a fascinating place, and the birds are amazing!

[SerpentiCaptain]

"Depending on which ornithologist you ask." Allow me to translate for people unfamiliar with academia: The arguments are legendary. Tenured professors have been fired. At least one balding septuagenarian with a PhD has been involved in a physical altercation about how many subspecies there are.

[CoupleMoore]

Well, you asked us to guess what kind of bizarre beast might be next. The bar-tailed godwit was certainly not the one I would have thought of.

[avifan]

you are the coolest host! I used to use your videos to my plant science college students! Thanks :)

[johndavey]

Australia is a destination - not an emergency landing if blown off course from New Zealnad. Last week a Bar-tailed Godwit was identified having flown from Alaska to Tasmania - a world record distance of 13, 560 klms. I live on Lake Illawarra - approx 100klms on the coast south of Sydney and I spotted my first Godwit for the summer season a fortnight ago. Otherwise - loved you post.

[ceulgai]

Wow, that IS a bizarre bird! Glad to see you back, Hank, as well as normal episodes! (Not that I didn't enjoy the undersea series)

[ali_b_lush]

Loved this episode! One of the most astonishing ones I've seen. Thanks! ❤

[KhalidMehmood-ytyw]

Very beautiful all cute birds and also beautiful photography

[sylvieweeks]

I would love episodes on the immortal jellyfish and the New Guinea singing dog!

[trishalish]

"Think back to the longest road trip of your life" says Hank Green, whom I actually accidentally ran across in Missoula, Montana during the longest road trip of my life. 😅

[macaroniandtuna]

A good follow-on to this would be the arctic tern, with the longest migration of any animal, and as a result being the animal that sees more daylight hours than any other because they live in both Northern and Southern summers.

[jansenart]

I can confidently say, as someone who can nap anywhere, that they snooze while in flight for a few seconds at a time, every few minutes.