Birds conquer the Himalayas

The latest study by biologists at Bangor University in the UK confirms that the world's highest flying bird is the Asian-striped goose head (bar-headed goose), which can reach an altitude of 6,437 meters and pass. Himalaya range in just 8 hours.

In 2009, the team installed a GPS signal generator on themselves 25 Indian goose heads before they began their annual spring migration to Mongolia and the Mongolian suburbs to breed.

Striped goose heads conquered 6,437 meters, crossing the Himalayas within 8 hours.

To get there, the geese have to fly through the highest mountain range of the Himalayas where the roof of the Everest world is 8,850m high. The results of GPS tracking showed that flying geese reached record highs, nearly 6,437 meters, during the 8,000 km migration path, which lasted for nearly 2 months.

These birds sometimes take a break from the entire journey, but they have taken the Himalayan flight in just 8 hours without a break. A person who is constantly climbing in such a tremendous intensity can die from not adapting to the climate.

What shocked the scientists was that the goose-headed goose reached such an amazing height just by violently flapping its wings, not taking advantage of wind power or using a flow of air upward.

Lead researcher Charles Bishop, a biologist at Bangor University, said, 'Most often, high-flying birds raise their height by throwing them up or gliding by wind rather than flapping their wings '. .

Body composition of super athlete 'fly high'

Super athlete flying high.

According to biologist Lucy Hawkes, co-researcher: ' The appearance of goose-headed geese does not appear to be heavyweight athletes' . However, scientists have found that the bodies of these birds have a structure that seems to conquer height only after they conduct physiological analysis.

They affirmed that the goose-headed goose underwent a long-term physical evolution to adapt to such a special migration habit.

Previous studies have shown that the bird contains more capillaries and red blood cells than other birds. This means oxygen will be delivered to muscle cells faster.

Moreover, the muscle of this 'wild' flying creature also contains more mitochondria than other birds; Mitochondria are units inside a cell that help produce energy.

In addition, the goose-headed goose can use 'venting' tips, breathing beyond what the body needs. Unlike humans, striped goose can breathe in and out especially fast without dizziness or fainting. 'By breathing faster than usual, birds can easily increase the amount of oxygen that they take into the blood , 'explains Hawkes.

Head goose 'lay' before the Himalaya

Scientists have asked the birds to choose to fly east or west around the mountain range, but why do they choose to fly above the top of the mountain? The research team gave two explanations. Firstly, it may take a few days more time to fly around, causing them to burn more energy.

' The situation is like when you have to go to a vegetable stall; There is a steep staircase in front and a really long round road. At a special time, you'll have to choose a steep staircase in front of you, 'Mr. Hawkes argued.

However, they also gave a second interesting treatise: The striped-headed goose flew like that from the Himalayas for millions of years, before the mountain ridge rose to its present height in the process of locating matter.

Researcher Hawke went on to say: ' Geese are relatively ancient birds, and most likely when the goose-headed goose has evolved into a new species, the Himalayan mountains are not as high as they are today . '