Top 10 Highest Flying Birds in the World

The Great Swan, scientifically known as Cygnus cygnus, is a species of swan from the Anatidae family. This bird breeds in Iceland and northern parts of Europe and Asia, migrating to temperate regions of Europe and Asia during the winter months. It shares a close relation with the North American Tundra Swan.

The Great Swan closely resembles the Bewick Swan but is larger, measuring between 140 and 165 cm in length. Its weight typically ranges from 7.4 to 14 kg, with males averaging 9.8 to 11.4 kg and females between 8.2 and 9.2 kg. The heaviest recorded individual weighed 15.5 kg, a male from Denmark. It is one of the heaviest flying birds. Standard measurements include a wingspan of 56.2 to 6 cm, a leg bone length of 10.4 to 13 cm, and a bill length of 9.2 to 11.6 cm.

The Great Swan breeds in Iceland and the northern regions of Europe and Asia. It migrates to temperate zones in Europe and Asia during winter. This species has a close connection with the North American Tundra Swan. The Great Swan can reach a maximum flying altitude of 8.2 km.

Alpine Chough, scientifically known as Pyrrhocorax graculus, is a bird species from the Corvidae family. It is one of two species in the Pyrrhocorax genus. This bird is found globally, except for the southernmost regions of South America and the polar ice caps. Primarily, it inhabits tropical areas in Central and South America, as well as the southern parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

This species tends to live in stable, non-migratory populations, though it may migrate during food shortages. Known for its strong build and robust legs, the Alpine Chough can fly at altitudes of up to 8.1 km.

Bearded Vulture, scientifically known as Gypaetus barbatus, is a unique predatory bird in the Gypaetus genus, belonging to the Accipitridae family. Traditionally classified as a Old World vulture, it actually forms a small branch within the Accipitridae, closely related to the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). Though distinct, both the Bearded Vulture and the Egyptian Vulture share a similar diamond-shaped tail, which is uncommon among raptors.

The Bearded Vulture is a very large bird, measuring over 1.2 meters in length with a wingspan of nearly 3 meters. Its weight ranges from 4.5 to 8.0 kg. This bird primarily feeds on carrion, though it occasionally hunts live prey. It breeds on high cliffs in southern Europe, the Caucasus, North Africa, southern Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Tibet. It lays one to two eggs in mid-autumn, with hatching occurring in the spring. A resident species, the Bearded Vulture has a powerful beak, making it a formidable predator. It is an opportunistic hunter, preying on any animals it can kill, though it tends to favor specific types of prey. The Bearded Vulture can reach an altitude of up to 7.3 km.

Mallard, also known as the wild duck, is perhaps the most recognized and widely distributed duck species. It is found across temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand (where it is the most common duck species), and Australia. In northern areas, Mallards migrate southward for the winter. For instance, in North America, Mallards travel to Mexico during the colder months.

True to its name, the Mallard features a striking green head and a distinctive body pattern of white and grey feathers. Known for being one of the most easily recognizable and familiar bird species, the Mallard thrives across temperate and subtropical regions. The Mallard can fly at altitudes of up to 6.8 km.

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a species of bird in the Scolopacidae family. This bird breeds on the Arctic coasts and tundra regions, primarily in the Old World, migrating to temperate and tropical coasts of the Old World for the winter. The migration of this species is the longest non-stop flight of any bird, and it holds the record for the longest continuous journey for any animal.

It has a body length of 37 to 41 cm, with a wingspan of 70 to 80 cm. Male birds are typically smaller than females, weighing between 190 and 400 g, while females range from 260 to 630 g, with some larger individuals in specific regions. Adult birds have grey-blue legs, a long, slightly curved, dark bill with a pink tip, and a reddish-orange chest, belly, and neck during the breeding season, which fades to white in winter. The back is marked with grey speckles.

This bird inhabits wetlands or coastal environments. While many Arctic and temperate birds migrate, tropical birds often remain in place or move in response to rainfall. The Bar-tailed Godwit feeds mainly on creatures found in the mud along coastlines. This bird can reach altitudes of up to 6.0 km.

The White Stork is a large bird in the Stork genus, belonging to the Ciconiidae family. Its plumage is primarily white, with black on the wings. Adults have long red legs and a red beak. The average length from beak tip to tail end is 100–115 cm, with a wingspan of 195–215 cm. Two subspecies differ slightly in size, with one found in Europe (northern Estonia), northwest Africa, southwestern Asia (east to southern Kazakhstan), and South Africa. The White Stork is a migratory bird, spending winters in the tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as South Africa and the Indian subcontinent. When migrating between Europe and Africa, it avoids crossing the Mediterranean Sea, instead taking a detour via the Levant east of the Strait of Gibraltar, as it depends on air thermals that don’t form over water.

The White Stork has mostly white feathers with a bit of black on its wings. These storks have long red legs and a long red beak. They are opportunistic feeders, eating a wide range of prey, including fish, amphibians, insects, small mammals, reptiles, and small birds. They primarily forage on the ground, in low vegetation, and in shallow waters. The White Stork can fly at altitudes of up to 4.9 km.

The Andean Condor, also known as the King Vulture, is a species of bird in the New World vulture family. It is native to South America, particularly in the Andes mountain range, including the Santa Marta mountains. Its range extends from Venezuela and Colombia in the north, where it is extremely rare, to the south along the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, through Bolivia and western Argentina, down to Tierra del Fuego. In the early 19th century, the Andean Condor's breeding range stretched from western Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego, but its range has been significantly reduced due to human activity.

This bird primarily inhabits open grasslands and high-altitude mountain areas up to 5,000 meters above sea level. It favors relatively open areas without forests, which allow it to spot carcasses from the air, such as the Páramo or rocky mountainous regions. The bird is found in the lowlands of eastern Bolivia and southwestern Brazil, reaching desert areas in Chile and Peru, and is also found in the southern forests of Patagonia.

The Andean Condor is primarily found in South America. Its range extends from northern Venezuela and Colombia, where it is extremely rare, continuing south along the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, through Bolivia and western Argentina, and to Tierra del Fuego. The bird prefers open grasslands and high-altitude mountainous areas. It relies on these open regions to detect animal carcasses from the air. The Andean Condor can reach altitudes of up to 4.5 km.

Gyps Rueppellii holds the record as the highest-flying bird, reaching an altitude of nearly 11.3 km, according to The Mysterious Worlds. At this height, the air is extremely thin with very little oxygen. However, the bird’s unique hemoglobin allows it to absorb oxygen more efficiently.

Gyps Rueppellii is a member of the vulture family, with a body length of about 1 meter and a weight of 7 to 9 kg. Its wingspan ranges from 2.3 to 2.5 meters. The bird can fly at speeds of 22 miles (around 35.5 km) per hour and can stay airborne for hours at a time. It feeds on carrion and has exceptional eyesight, enabling it to spot carcasses from great heights. Gyps Rueppellii is widely distributed across the globe, found in nearly all continents and many oceanic islands. Despite its wide range, many bird species still migrate.

Gyps Rueppellii hunts during the day, with sizes ranging from small to large, and it has a strong, curved beak, which changes shape depending on its food source. It mostly feeds on various animal types, from insects to medium-sized mammals, with only a few species eating fruit.

The White-necked Crane, also known as the Eurasian Crane, is the most common crane species in the family Gruidae. These birds inhabit most regions across the Eurasian continent and parts of North America. The White-necked Crane is the second highest-flying bird in the world, capable of reaching altitudes of up to 10 km. They are migratory birds, not listed as endangered by international conservation organizations, but are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of Waterbirds in the Eurasian region. These cranes typically fly in large flocks southward to escape the winter cold, often forming a V-shaped pattern. This species is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods including leaves, roots, fruits, insects, small birds, and even some small mammals.

The White-necked Crane grows to a length of 100–130 cm, with a wingspan of 190–240 cm, and weighs approximately 4.5–6 kg. Most of their body is gray, with a white patch on the head and black-edged wing feathers. Adult cranes have a red tuft of feathers on their head. Their call is loud and distinct, often heard while in flight, signaling the presence of the crane. This species is also known for their impressive courtship dance, which includes hopping and wing-flapping movements performed during mating season to attract a mate.

The Indian Goose has a light gray body with white on its neck and face, and orange-colored legs. This species features webbed feet and wide wings. It typically inhabits high-altitude lakes. The Indian Goose is known to migrate southward from Tibet, Mongolia, and Russia, traveling over the Himalayas. The Indian Goose can reach altitudes of up to 8.8 km.

With a body length of 71–76 cm and a weight of 1.87–3.2 kg, the Indian Goose has a distinct gray body, white markings on its face and neck, and orange legs. Its feet are webbed, and it has broad wings. During the summer, it lives around high-altitude lakes. The species has been observed migrating south from Tibet, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia, crossing the Himalayas. The female Indian Goose lays 4 to 6 white eggs in a nest, which take about 27 days to incubate.