Eastern bar-tailed godwits that migrate to New Zealand from Alaska undertake the farthest non-stop flight of any bird. Instead of staying close to shores like most other waders, they fly over the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with no chance to land, rest and refuel until they reach New Zealand. They fly continuously for eight to nine days and nights. For the return journey they take a much longer route around the western edge of the Pacific, with a stopover in the Yellow Sea on the way. This means they arrive back at their breeding grounds in Alaska in good condition for breeding.
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Source: Adrian C. Riegen, ‘Movements of banded Arctic waters to and from New Zealand.’ Notornis 46, part 1 (March 1999): 123–142
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