GPS-tracked bird flew 10,000 km in 42 days, revealing migration secrets

A tiny GPS tracker attached to a European honey buzzard revealed an extraordinary feat of endurance that few humans could match. Over 42 days, the bird travelled more than 10,000 km from its wintering grounds in South Africa to its breeding habitat in Finland, crossing deserts, mountain ranges and numerous countries along the way. The journey, documented by researchers led by Finnish ornithologist Dr. Patrik Byholm as part of Project Honey Buzzard, offered an unprecedented glimpse into one of the world's most remarkable migrations. The data showed not only where the bird travelled but also how it timed its flights, selected energy-efficient routes and adapted to changing landscapes and weather conditions.How scientists tracked a European honey buzzard's 10,000 km epic journeyResearchers fitted the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) with a lightweight GPS satellite transmitter before it began its spring migration from southern Africa.