12 Highest Flying Birds: The Incredible Species That Soar Above Mount Everest

Birds have evolved remarkable abilities to soar through the skies at heights that would challenge even modern aircraft. While most birds fly at relatively low altitudes during their daily activities, certain species have adapted to reach extraordinary heights, sometimes exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level.

These high-altitude fliers have developed special adaptations that allow them to survive in environments with thin air, low oxygen levels, and extreme temperatures. From powerful raptors like vultures and eagles to long-distance migrants such as cranes and geese, these birds demonstrate the incredible diversity of flight capabilities found in the avian world. Their ability to navigate and thrive at such heights showcases millions of years of evolutionary refinement.

1) Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture

The Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture holds the world record for highest flight. One bird reached 37,000 feet in 1973 when it hit a plane over West Africa.

This large vulture lives in Africa’s Sahel region and East Africa. It has an eight-foot wingspan and stands up to 38 inches tall.

The species is critically endangered. Habitat loss and poisoning threaten their survival.

These vultures can live 40 to 50 years in the wild.

2) Bar-headed Goose

The bar-headed goose holds the record as the world’s highest-flying bird. These geese can fly at heights up to 29,000 feet above sea level.

They migrate across the Himalayas between their breeding grounds in Central Asia and wintering areas in India. Climbers on Mount Makalu have spotted these birds flying overhead at extreme altitudes.

Bar-headed geese are about 30 inches long and weigh 4 to 6.5 pounds. They have gray and white feathers with distinctive black bars on their heads.

3) Alpine Chough

The Alpine Chough can fly at heights up to 8,000 meters above sea level. This black bird with a bright yellow bill lives in high mountains across Europe and Asia.

These birds are built for high altitude flight. They have special body features that help them breathe thin air at great heights.

Alpine Choughs nest higher than almost any other bird species. They make their homes on steep mountain cliffs and rocky peaks where few animals can survive.

4) Andean Condor

The Andean condor is one of the world’s largest flying birds. It lives in the Andes mountains of South America.

This bird has a wingspan of up to 10 feet 10 inches. It can weigh up to 33 pounds.

The Andean condor is a type of vulture. It soars high above mountain peaks and coastal areas looking for food.

These birds are known for their ability to fly at very high altitudes. They use air currents to stay in the sky for hours without flapping their wings much.

5) Common Crane

The Common Crane flies at remarkable heights during migration. These birds reach altitudes of 33,000 feet when crossing the Himalayas.

Also called the Eurasian Crane, this species lives in northern Europe and Asia. They migrate long distances to winter in northern Africa.

Common Cranes have wingspans between six and eight feet. Their strong build helps them fly at extreme altitudes during seasonal journeys.

These gray and white birds use radar-tracked flight paths across mountain ranges. They are among the highest-flying bird species in the world.

6) Bearded Vulture

The bearded vulture can fly up to 24,000 feet high. This makes it one of the highest flying birds in the world.

These birds live in mountain areas across Europe and Asia. They rarely fly below 3,300 feet.

The bearded vulture has a unique way of eating. It drops bones and shells from great heights onto rocks to break them open.

This bird has a large wingspan that helps it glide at high altitudes. It uses warm air currents to soar for hours without much effort.

7) Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle soars to heights of over 13,000 feet when scanning for food. Some individuals have been recorded flying up to 20,000 feet.

These powerful birds of prey are among the largest and most agile in the world. They average 2.75 feet long with a 7-foot wingspan.

Golden Eagles are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. They use their impressive flight abilities to hunt and navigate mountain regions.

8) Whooper Swan

The whooper swan ranks among the world’s highest flying birds. These large white birds can reach altitudes of 27,000 feet during migration.

In 1967, pilots spotted about 30 whooper swans flying at this record height. The birds were traveling from Iceland to Northern Ireland.

Whooper swans have strong chest muscles and large wings. Their wingspan can reach up to 10 feet wide.

These powerful birds regularly fly across Europe and Asia during migration. They can travel long distances at high altitudes with ease.

9) Lammergeier

The lammergeier, also known as the bearded vulture, soars to amazing heights in mountainous regions. This large bird of prey has been recorded flying at altitudes up to 24,000 feet.

These impressive birds live in high mountain areas across Europe, Asia, and Africa. They typically nest above 6,500 feet and have been spotted flying over 19,000 feet high.

Lammergeiers have wingspans reaching nearly 10 feet. Their powerful wings help them ride air currents in thin mountain air, making them one of the highest-flying birds in the world.

10) Steppe Eagle

The Steppe Eagle is a skilled soarer that can reach extreme heights. These large birds of prey ride thermal updrafts to climb high into the sky.

Steppe Eagles have wide wings with seven well-splayed “fingers” at the wingtips. Their wingspan ranges from 165 to 215 cm, making them built for long-distance flight.

These eagles breed in the open plains and steppes of Central Asia. They are known for their power and endurance during flight.

11) Mallard

The mallard is a common duck that can fly much higher than most people think. These birds can reach altitudes of up to 21,000 feet during migration.

Mallards have strong, robust wings that help them fly at such high altitudes. They use this ability mainly when traveling long distances between breeding and wintering areas.

These ducks are found across North America, Europe, and Asia. Despite being familiar sights in parks and ponds, mallards are skilled high-altitude flyers.

12) Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwits hold the world record for longest nonstop flight. These birds fly over 8,000 miles without stopping for food or rest.

They travel from Alaska to New Zealand and Australia each fall. The journey takes 8 to 11 days of continuous flying over the Pacific Ocean.

A young godwit recently set a new record by flying 8,425 miles nonstop to Tasmania. This 11-day flight broke all previous records for bird migration distances.