This Bird Eats Itself To Survive Long Migration
By: NDTVNewsDesk
Image: Pexels
The bar-tailed godwit burns not just flab, but even some internal organs to fuel its marathon migrations.
Image: Pexels
Each autumn, the godwit flies from its breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia to Australia or New Zealand to spend the winter.
Image: Pexels
The bird travels for nine or ten days, covering a mind-boggling 11,000 km, without pausing to rest or eat.
Image: Pexels
Before migration, it gorges itself on food, becoming morbidly obese and accumulating a large reserve of fat.
Image: Pexels
Fat is the ideal fuel source for these birds because it is lightweight and energy-dense.
Image: Pexels
In a process called autophagy, the bird consumes a large portion of its internal organs.
Image: Pexels
Up to a quarter of certain vitals, including its kidneys, liver, gizzard and intestine, are broken down.
Image: Pexels
This combination of organ shedding and fat-packing allows the bar-tailed godwit to travel extraordinary distances on minimal fuel.
Image: Pexels
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