How high birds fly

Discussion in 'Earth Science' started by wegs, Nov 21, 2019.

  1. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    So, I went for a run earlier today, and stopped to look for a new song on my iphone. I looked up at the beautiful blue sky, as the weather is quite lovely these days. I noticed what seemed to be moving black dots, scattered about the billowy clouds. I kept staring, mesmerized, realizing they were birds, as they swooped down, then shot up to ''touch the clouds,'' once more. Perhaps, it was merely an optical illusion, but I didn't realize that birds flew so high.

    And then...I discovered this:

    https://www.birdnote.org/show/how-high-birds-fly-i
     
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  3. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    An alternative question would be "How low, birds go"?

    While (scuba) diving in the PNW I've occasionally seen birds under water (Cormorants). I knew that some birds dived out of the sky to grab a fish (like Bald Eagles) but I didn't really picture them being able to stay underwater. If figured their air cavities would cause them to bounce back up immediately.

    They are quick so most of the time by the time I noticed one was underwater they would be zooming back up toward the surface. I was on a dive once though where one came down and stayed down for a short period of time and chased a fish down by swimming in a rapid zig zagging pattern.

    Bird fly high and dive low.

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  5. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Wow, that's so amazong! I didn't realize what remarkable creatures they are! How incredible to be able to soar to such great heights, and dive beneath the ocean to extreme lows. I'm a bit jealous, they have the best of both worlds. lol
     
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  7. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    True, but it seems like a lot of work to be a bird.

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    How high butterflies fly?
     
  8. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Some eyewitnesses have spotted butterflies soaring as high as the top floor of the empire state building.

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  9. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    We you must admit not many fish in the upper atmosphere

    Perhaps a few after cyclone/tornado

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  10. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    True, but they do climb trees.
     
  11. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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  12. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    But not make nest

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  13. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    You've never seen fishnest stockings?

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  14. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    high bird ...
     
  15. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    occasionally high flying air craft strike birds

    https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...tigate-high-altitude-bird-strikes-nea-334523/
    • 06 November, 2009
    • SOURCE: Air Transport Intelligence news
    • BY: John Croft
    • Washington DC
     
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  16. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    PMSL

    So that's where they come from

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  17. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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  18. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    some migrating birds wait till the right weather conditions then use thermals to ascend so they can fly to other countrys.
    eagles & condors & some sea birds can be seen doing this quite commonly.

    they can only go as high as the thermal will allow generally speaking while some birds get carried off into the wild blue yonder, possibly frozen to death while in the air.
    i would guess their tiny little frantic hearts would simply give out.
     

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