GPS tracks "roller coaster" geese migration over Himalayas

Abbey Hull for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online

Migrating between Mongolia and China through the highest landmass in the world— the Himalayan Mountains—the bar-headed goose is an avian anomaly, flying at extreme altitudes of up to 23,000 feet (7,000m) where there is less than 10% oxygen found at sea level.

Led by researchers from Bangor University (BU), a team set out to understand this seemingly impossible feat. In the study, lead author Dr. Charles Bishop claims these feats may represent “the limit” of the capability of birds today.

“They have found a way to cross the world’s longest and highest land mass—over 500km [300 miles]—relatively easily. They don’t train or acclimatize,” Bishop states. “They could walk on the top of Everest and have no problem at all.”

During the study, researchers used GPS trackers and implanted devices, recording acceleration, altitude, body temperature and heart rates of seven bar-head geese. The devices provided data for scientists to track their apparent “rollercoaster” flight pattern and understand the birds’ energy use at such altitudes.

“When we looked at the heart rate, [it was] going up with altitude quite quickly. So flying high is really difficult,” Bishop said. “When we calculated what it would be like if they went up to 6,000m and stayed there, that was more expensive than hugging the ground.”

Adding on to their energetic achievements, Bishop found that while the geese do not seem to benefit from tail winds, they take advantage of the wind coming off the mountain ridges to gain lift when flying. However, the biggest question is the incessant flapping of their wings.

“They never stop flapping their wings,” he said.  “And one or two [of the flights we tracked] were up to 17 hours long.”

Since flapping is an energy-intensive action, effectively flying for that long duration at such extreme altitudes sans large amounts of oxygen, the researchers were impressed.

These researchers and biologists alike hope to one day understand the genetics behind the bar-headed geese and discover what makes these birds able to perform such physiological feats.

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